New Zealand have suffered a blow to their World Test Championship final hopes as the International Cricket Council has deducted WTC points of both England and the Blackcaps for maintaining slow over-rate during the first Test in Christchurch. 

While England are already out of the qualification, the Blackcaps are still in contention to make it to their second final of the Test championship. However, the ICC has fined 15 per cent of match fees and deducted three WTC competition points. 

Due to the point deduction, the Blackcaps have dropped from joint fourth place to outright fifth in the nine-team table. They were tied with Sri Lanka on 50 PCT, which has dipped to 47.92. Following this deduction, New Zealand can now reach a maximum of 55.36 percent if they win their remaining two Test matches at home against England. 

More to follow…