The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has officially revealed that Akash Deep’s delivery that dismissed Joe Root during the second test of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.
Several critics have emerged regarding the back-foot position of the Indian bowler, who touched outside the return crease when he dismissed Joe Root.
The MCC has explained that the legality of a delivery is determined by where the foot first lands, not its subsequent position, putting to rest the debate that arose after the footage showed Deep’s back foot appearing to touch outside the return crease.
The dismissal occured during the second delivery of the tenth over when Akash Deep bowled Root with an incoming delivery. The wicket proved to be a crucial as England lost three wickets for 50 runs while chasing a target of 608 runs.
The controversy began when Television footage showed Akash Deep’s back foot potentially crossing the return crease, leading to the discussions whether it was a legal delivery or no-ball.
Third umpire Paul Reiffel did not intervene on the delivery, while Chris Gaffaney and Sharfuddoula Saikat, the on-field umpires, allowed the dismissa to stand.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri, who was commenting at the time, maintained that the delivery was legal.
The MCC spokesperson provided a detailed explanation of the ruling. ” On Day four of India’s Test against England last week, there were questions raised about the delivery from Akash Deep which bowled Joe Root, with some fans and commentators believing it to be a no ball.
While Akash Deep landed unusually wide on the crease and some of his back foot appeared to touch the ground outside the return crease, the third umpire did not call a no ball.
MCC is happy to clarify that this was a correct decision in Law,” said the report.
The MCC Law 21.5.1, which states, “For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feat, in the delivery stride the bowler’s back foot must land withing and not touching the return crease appertaining to his/her stated mode of delivery.”
“MCC has always defined the moment that the back foot lands as the first point of contact with the ground. As soon as there is any part of the foot touching the ground, that foot has landed, and it is the foot’s position at that time which is to be considered for a back foot no ball.
“Clearly, at the point Deep’s foot first touched the ground, the back foot was within and not touching the return crease. Some of his foot may have touched the ground outside the crease subsequently – that is not relevant to this Law. At the point of landing he was within the crease, and this was therefore rightly deemed to be a legal delivery,” the MCC clarified the rule, putting the controversy to rest once and for all.
Joe Root’s wicket was crucial which was a big breakthrough for India. The day 04 ended with 72/3. On the final day, the hosts secured 271 runs after a knock from Jamie Smith. However India secured a 336-run series in the second test of the five match series.
