Akash Deep's dismissal of Joe Root on the fourth evening of the Edgbaston Test match caused controversy over whether the delivery should have been called as a backfoot no-ball. Here's what the laws say.
England lose three quick wickets on day four
England lost three wickets before the close of play of the penultimate day of their second Test against India, with their target for victory at a mammoth 608. Zak Crawley was dismissed in the second over of the innings, edging a delivery from Mohammed Siraj to slip, before Ben Duckett fell when his stumps were castled by Akash. That wicket brought Root to the crease.
Having looked unusually out of sorts, Root was bowled by Akash by a ball from wide of the crease that nipped away and took out his off stump. However, there was some controversy over whether Akash's back foot had landed outside the return crease when he ran through for his delivery stride, and whether the ball subsequently should have been called as a no ball.
What is the back foot no ball law?
MCC Law 21.5.1 says: "The bowler’s back foot must land within and not touching the return crease appertaining to his/her stated mode of delivery."
The crucial point of wording in that law is "land", with only where Akash's back foot first lands relevant to whether the ball should be considered a no ball or not. At the point of landing, Akash's foot was well within the return crease before his heel hovered over, and perhaps touched the line. Subsequently, the delivery was considered as fair.
England ended the day on 72-3, requiring another 536 runs to go 2-0 up in the series, or needing to negotiate play in between rain showers on day five to bat out the draw.
This piece has been modified. The original version included quotes falsely attributed to Alison Mitchell.
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