A dismal 2018 Caribbean Premier League campaign by the St. Lucia Stars has taken another turn for the worse with them being punished for slow over rate by having their net run rate docked.

The Stars, captained by Kieron Pollard, completed their bowling innings against Jamaica Tallawahs in 94 minutes: nine minutes longer than the permissible 85. As a result, their net run rate was reduced by 0.15.

The new rule, introduced in the Caribbean Premier League this year, punishes teams that fail to complete their 20 overs in the allotted 85 minutes, after taking into account all allowances for stoppages.

In accordance with that, Stars were deemed to be two overs short. The first over results in a docking of 0.05 from the team’s net run rate, with each following over reducing the NNR by 0.10.

The Stars, meanwhile, ended up losing the match by 21 runs to remain at the foot of the table on 4 points.

This latest penalty adds to their woes in what has been a below par campaign, where they are currently bottom of the table.

They also have, by some distance, the worst net run rate in the competition, which has now been exacerbated by this latest penalty.

The team will seek to notch a third win on the season and move off foot of the table by beating the Chris Gayle led St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Warner Park in Basseterre on Thursday .