CC has taken to Twitter to release a statement on the Steve Smith run

out controversy on Friday at the Oval during the fifth and final Ashes
2023 Test.

On Day two of the Oval Test, the controversy involving Smith took

center stage. The incident occurred during the 78th over of Australia's
innings when Smith and Pat Cummins were batting with the score at
193/7. Smith, who was batting on 42 at the time, worked the third ball
of the over from Chris Woakes to midwicket and set for a quick two.
However, he found himself in trouble when George Ealham, a
substitute fielder, rushed in and threw the ball to the wicket-keeper
quickly.

Smith made a desperate dive to reach the crease, but it seemed that
Jonny Bairstow had managed to break the stumps before Smith
reached safety. The England players were convinced Smith was out
and began celebrating. Initial replays also seemed to indicate that
Smith was out of his crease when Bairstow broke the stumps.

However, after a prolonged inspection of the replays, TV Umpire Nitin

Menon adjudged Smith to be not out. This decision was based on the
cricket law book's Law 29.1, which states that the wicket is broken
when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the
stumps, or one or more stumps is removed from the ground.

In Smith's case, only one end of the bail had left its groove when
Bairstow disturbed the stumps. By the time both ends of the bail were
dislodged, Smith had got back in by the barest of margins.

Related video: Steve Smith on Australia's performance. Reaction

to day 2 5th ashes test (Dailymotion)
This decision sparked debate and confusion among broadcasters and
fans alike. Despite the controversy, Smith went on to score 71 runs,
helping Australia reach 295 in their first innings and secure a slender
lead of 12 at the end of the day's play. This incident added another
layer of drama to the ongoing Ashes 2023 series between England and
Australia.

Now, MCC have reacted on the incident and confirmed it was the right
call due to Law 29.1. 

"We have received a few questions regarding the decision in the

below video."

Law 29.1 states: "The wicket is broken when at least one bail is
completely removed from the top of the stumps, or one or more
stumps is removed from the ground."

Tom Smith's Cricket Umpiring and Scoring, MCC's Official

Interpretation of the Laws of Cricket, adds: "For the purposes of
dismissal – a bail has been removed at the moment that both ends of
it leave their grooves," read the statement.