MCC releases statement on Akash Deep's delivery to dismiss Joe Root that stirred up controversy, says 'While he landed unsually wide on the crease...'

The lawmakers of the cricket, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has released a statement, clearing the air over Akash Deep's delivery that bamboozled Joe Root and crashed into the off stump. The legality of the delivery was question as the replay seemed to show Deep's back foot outside the return crease. However, on zooming in, it was clear that the heel of his back foot had not touched the ground and the delivery was legal.

Former England cricketer-turned-commentator Jonathan Trott had raised issues about the delivery that square up Root. But, India's former head coach Ravi Shastri clarified that it was a fair delivery, that's why third umpire Paul Reiffel did not intervene.

"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," the MCC spokersperson said reacting to the controversy around the dismissal.

"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."

Here's what the MCC's Law 21.5.1 about the legal delivery stride -

"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," said MCC, putting the controversy to bed.

Deep scripts history in Edgbaston

Deep became the second Indian bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test on England soil. In the second innings, he claimed a six-wicket haul and helped India bowl out England for 271. The visitors won the Test by 336 runs and levelled the series 1-1.