Amid all the uproar and debate surrounding the legality of Akash Deep’s delivery that bowled Joe Root comprehensively during the recently concluded Edgbaston Test, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)—the ultimate authority on the Laws of Cricket—has indicated that there was nothing unlawful about the dismissal.
The prestigious institution clarified that the legality of such deliveries depends on where the bowler’s foot first makes contact with the ground. According to MCC’s interpretation, if the initial point of contact is within the crease, the delivery is legal—even if the foot later moves outside the line.
The incident occurred in the 10th over when Akash Deep bowled Joe Root, but replays sparked controversy over a possible back-foot no-ball. While some commentators, including Jonathan Trott, felt it was illegal, Ravi Shastri maintained it was a fair delivery.
MCC Backs Umpires as Paul Reiffel Opts Not to Call No-Ball in Akash Deep Incident
Notably, third umpire Paul Reiffel, responsible for monitoring and communicating front or back foot no-balls, chose not to intervene. The on-field officiating was handled by Chris Gaffaney and Sharfuddoula Saikat. An MCC spokesperson stated:
“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 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.”
The MCC quoted the relevant law, saying Law 21.5.1 states that: “For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet, in the delivery stride the bowler’s back foot must land within 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, ending the controversy.
Joe Root’s dismissal proved to be a major breakthrough for India, leaving England struggling at 50 for 3 in their daunting chase of 608 during the third session on Day 4. By stumps, the hosts had reached 72 for 3. On the final day, England were bowled out for 271, giving India a commanding 336-run win and leveling the five-match Test series at 1-1.
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