As if losing the Test series against India was not enough, England's cricket team was fined five per cent of its match fee while skipper Kevin Pietersen was docked 10 per cent of his earnings for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first match in Chennai.

England was handed a six-wicket defeat by India in the first Test in Chennai before the second match in Mohali ended in a draw.

Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the fines after Pietersen's side was ruled to be one over short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

"In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount," the ICC said in a statement.

"As such, Pietersen was fined 10 per cent of his match fee while his players received five per cent fines. The offence is contrary to Section J of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to slow over-rates. For such offences, the decision of the ICC match referee is final and binding," it added.