ODI World Cup 2023: Why Joel Wilson's 'no ball' call for Tom Latham's stumping appeal is correct?

New Zealand won their second consecutive match of the ODI World Cup 2023 by defeating the Netherlands by 99 runs in Hyderabad on Monday, October 9. However, there was a controversial moment that took place during the match.

Tom Latham attempted to stump Netherlands batter Sybrand Engelbrecht off the bowling of Rachin Ravindra in the second innings. However, TV umpire Joel Wilson ruled it as a 'no ball' stating that the Kiwi wicketkeeper was in front of the stumps while trying to collect the ball.

The incident took place in the 41st over of the Netherlands innings as the Scott Edwards-led team were reeling at 191/7 in pursuit of a target of 323. Ravindra saw debutant Engelbrecht step out of his crease and he fired the ball wide on the off-side. New Zealand's stand-in captain gathered the ball, took off the bails in a flash, and appealed for a stumping. The delivery was signalled as 'wide' and the leg-umpire called the TV umpire into action. After watching a number of replays, Wilson went on to rule the decision in favour of the batter.

“Take it back, it looks like he has collected the ball in front of the stumps. I’m checking, where are the gloves when he is collecting it? He’s not wholly behind the stumps, so I have a no-ball and the batsman will be not out," he said during the review.

The experienced umpire came under a lot of criticism after giving the 'no ball' call. Former wicketkeeper Ian Smith was on commentary and he couldn't believe how the decision went in favour of the Netherlands.

“Well, I’ve got to say, as a former wicketkeeper, that’s the most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen. That is just crazy. When the ball went into the gloves, they were clearly, clearly behind the stumps. They might have been initially in front, but when the ball went into the gloves, clearly behind the stumps. Look at the gloves there. Are you telling me it’s a no ball? Well, when I look in the paper tomorrow it will say it, but not for mine," the 66-year-old said.

What do the MCC Laws state regarding the positioning of the stumper while executing stumping?

Even though there is a growing debate around some laws of the game which are in place, Tom Latham's execution during New Zealand's ODI World Cup 2023 game, was not as per the cricket laws. As per the Marylebone Cricket Club's (MCC) guidelines, a wicketkeeper has to ensure that he or she remains behind or along the stump at the striker's end while collecting or executing a stumping. However, if the stumper fails to do so, then as per the laws it is expected of the umpire to rule it as a no-ball immediately.

According to MCC law 27.3: “The wicketkeeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket at the striker’s end or the striker attempts a run,” it states. “In the event of the wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball."

Therefore, Latham, who did come in front of the stumps, violated the law, and therefore, the 'no ball' call was the correct one from Wilson.