DUBAI: ICC Match Referee Javagal Srinath handed England captain Paul Collingwood a four-match ban following his side's slow over rate in a match against New Zealand at The Oval, London. Collingwood's punishment was lifted from Level 2 to Level 3 because of repeat offence within 12 months, according to an ICC release here.

As a result, Collingwood will miss the final ODI of the current series against New Zealand, the Twenty20 International against South Africa on August 20 and the first two ODIs of the seven-match series against South Africa, on August 22 at Leeds and August 26 at Nottingham. Collingwood met Srinath where his punishment was determined.

A four-ODI or two-Test ban is the minimum punishment allowable under the Level 3 grade. A deficit of more than two overs in an ODI brings with it an automatic Level 2 charge against the captain involved, but if that captain has already been charged and found guilty of the same offence within the preceding 12 months then the penalty imposed is elevated to Level 3.

The previous occasion within the time period when England was more than two overs short of its required over-rate was against India in Bristol on August 24 last year. On that occasion too, the team was three overs down and Collingwood was fined 50 per cent of his match fee.

The regulations also state that players shall be docked five per cent of their match fees for every over short of the required mark, with the captain being fined double.

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