Controversy Erupts over Back-Foot No-Ball Decision
In a dramatic turn of events during the England vs India Test Match, Akash dismissed Root with what seemed like a legitimate delivery. However, the excitement soon turned into controversy when a back-foot no-ball was identified.
Commentator Raises Questions
As play resumed after Root’s dismissal, commentator Alison Mitchell highlighted that the delivery from Akash Deep was indeed a back-foot no-ball. This revelation raised serious concerns about the missed call, leaving the cricketing world in shock.
Understanding the Cricketing Terms
In cricket, there are two important creases – the popping crease and the return creases. The popping crease signifies the marker for the bowler’s front foot, while the return creases run parallel to the pitch alongside the stumps.
Rules Around Fair Deliveries
According to the rules, for a delivery to be considered fair, the bowler’s back foot must land within the return crease without touching it. The front foot should also align with the imaginary line joining the middle stumps.
The Issue of Umpiring
The confusion arises in judging these creases, especially the return crease. If any part of the back foot makes contact with it, the delivery is deemed a no-ball. While the front-foot no-ball can be monitored by the on-field umpire, detecting back-foot no-balls is a challenge as it often occurs away from the umpire’s viewpoint.
Role of the Third Umpire
To address such discrepancies, the third umpire is tasked with reviewing these technicalities. However, in the case of Root’s dismissal, the error was overlooked on Day 4 of the match, much to the dismay of England.
For more details on the controversy surrounding the back-foot no-ball decision in the England vs India Test Match, refer to the official cricket website.
