WATCH: Akash Deep denied maiden Test wicket by no ball

On debut, Deep thought he'd bowled Zak Crawley for his first scalp in Tests but for Rod Tucker's outstretched arm

Nick Friend | 23/02/2024 at 04:41

Akash Deep was denied his maiden Test wicket when overstepping by a matter of millimetres as he clean-bowled Zak Crawley in Ranchi.

Deep, 27, nipped a beauty between Crawley's bat and pad to send his off-stump cartwheeling several feet behind the opener with the fourth ball of the fourth over. Crawley was on four at the time, and England were seven without loss.

But his joy was shortlived, once the siren – typically a T20 innovation but present throughout this series – sounded to halt Deep's joy. Several England bowlers in the recent past have endured a similar disappointment, including Ben Stokes, Mason Crane, Mark Wood and Tom Curran.

It would have been a beauty... 🚨#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/B4krJ1YCoA
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) February 23, 2024

Deep, who impressed for India A against England Lions earlier this year, was making his Test debut as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement. He didn't have to wait long for his first wicket, though, with Ben Duckett edging behind in the 10th over.

A terrific first spell for India was then rewarded with the wickets of Ollie Pope and, eventually, Crawley.

He was picked ahead of Mukesh Kumar, who featured in the second Test but hasn't played since.

India's decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the fourth Test against England in Ranchi was led by a desire to protect him following a heavy workload during the start of the series.

crawley230201

^{Zak Crawley was fortunate to survive the early scare (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

Bumrah has bowled 80.5 overs across the three Tests, more than any other seamer on either side.

He has taken 17 wickets at 13.64 apiece, a haul which helped him climb to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings and guide India into a 2-1 series lead with two Tests to play.

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