The Otago Sparks have been docked half a competition point for a slow over rate during the 10-run twenty20 win against Northern Districts at Molyneux Park on Sunday.
The Sparks were reported for a slow over rate by match referee Tony Hill and Otago Cricket Association chief executive Mike Coggan confirmed the team has been penalised half a point.
That deduction has not been recorded on the offical points table yet and Coggan said the association planned to appeal the decision.
If the penalty stands, it could cost the Sparks a place in the playoffs.
"We’re going to do every thing possible," Coggan said.
There is a discrepancy between the way the men and women are treated when it comes to slow over rates. The men are fined whereas the women lose half a point.
The women also have less time to get through their alotted 20 overs.
Sparks coach Nathan King said his side was "three or four minutes slow" and "it would be very disappointing [to lose half a point] particularly since we’ve been playing so well in Alexandra".
The Sparks have rebounded from a slow start to the tournament with back-to-back wins at Molyneux Park.
They thrashed Canterbury by 66 runs yesterday to keep their playoff prospects alive.
The top three sides contest the playoffs and the Sparks are in third place with three wins from four games.
If the penalty stands, they will drop to fourth with three round-robin games remaining.
