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India fined for slow over-rate

MS Dhoni gets in some wicketkeeping practice during a nets session Associated Press

India has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during South Africa's second innings at Newlands.

Match Referee Andy Pycroft imposed the fines after MS Dhoni's side was ruled to be three overs short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the ICC regulations regarding minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount. So, MS Dhoni was fined 60% while his players received 30% fines. If Dhoni is found guilty of two further minor over-rate offences in Tests over the next 12 months, he will receive a one-match suspension.

India had also had problems with their over-rate in the first Test of the series in Centurion. At the time, Dhoni had joked: "The last game we played with three fast bowlers and one spinner, and we were 21 minutes short. If we play with four fast bowlers, definitely I'll get a match ban." Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner, bowled 38 overs in the second innings at Newlands, but India still failed to complete their overs in time.

The penalty was accepted by Dhoni without contest so there was no need for a hearing