In the third ODI against Australia, England conceded a rarely-seen no-ball, as they had placed too many fielders behind square on the leg side.
In Durham on Tuesday (September 24), the visitors were looking to seal a series-win in the five-match series, having won the first two ODIs in Nottingham and Leeds.
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to field first. There was early success for the hosts, as a short delivery from Jofra Archer got rid of opener Matthew Short. Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh was the next to fall, in the 11th over to local boy Brydon Carse as Jamie Smith completed a regulation catch behind the stumps.
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In the 15th over of the innings, though, Carse was the unfortunate bowler to pay the price for a rookie error. Off the final ball of the over, he bowled a short one to Cameron Green, which the he left alone.
But even as the players prepared to change ends, the umpire signalled a no-ball – but not for the height of the delivery, or for the bowler overstepping. Instead, a no-ball had been called as England had three fielders placed behind square on the leg side.
What is the 'Bodyline' no-ball?
According to Law 28.4 of the MCC's Laws of the Game:
"At the instant of the bowler’s delivery there shall not be more than two fielders, other than the wicket-keeper, behind the popping crease on the on side. A fielder will be considered to be behind the popping crease unless the whole of his/her person whether grounded or in the air is in front of this line.
"In the event of infringement of this Law by any fielder, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball."
This law was motivated at least in part by the "bodyline" tactics made famous by England's Douglas Jardine in the 1930s. Against Australia, they attempted to repeatedly bowl short balls at the batters' bodies, with fielders placed on the leg side ready for catches. This was seen as dangerous, potentially causing harm to batters.
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By restricting the number of fielders that could be placed behind the popping crease on the leg side, this style of bowling was dis-incentivised and gradually went out of the game. When placing fields, captains and bowlers are generally mindful to not place more than two there, but lapses can happen.
Off the resulting free hit, Green chopped a wide yorker onto his stumps, resulting in a dot ball. At the time of writing, Australia were 84-2 in 20 overs.
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