What the cricket world has to say about the controversial Ben Stokes dismissal

Eoin Morgan Steven Smith England Australia Cricket

Smith and Morgan’s arguments over Ben Stokes controversial dismissal continued even after the match

Australia defeated England by a comfortable margin of 64 runs in the 2nd ODI at Lord’s to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The match, however, turned out to be a controversial one as Ben Stokes was given out obstructing the field, only the sixth player in ODI history to be given out in the manner.

The 26-year-old English all-rounder seemed to be taking evasive action as he tried to get back into the crease after Mitchell Starc fielded off his own bowling and hurled the ball back at the stumps seeing Stokes out of the crease. With the ball heading his way, Stokes struck out his hand to block the delivery, which led the Australians to appeal hopefully.

The on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Tim Robinson left the decision to the third umpire Joe Wilson who ruled in favour of the world champions. The decision attracted instant criticism from the home crowd who responded with jeers while skipper Eoin Morgan was seen infuriated and entered into an altercation with his Australian counterpart Steven Smith.

Smith, speaking after the match defended the decision.

"It was blatantly out. It might have looked a bit worse because it went back to the bowler, but it's exactly the same as me turning for a second run, putting my arm out and stopping the ball. The ball wasn't going to hit him, Stokes was out of his crease, he put his arm out and got in the way of the ball. The ball was going very close to hitting the stumps,” he said, according to BBC.

"If you're out of your crease and you put your hand up to stop the ball, then it's out. If you read the rule book, we're well within our rights to appeal and the umpires have given it out."

Smith also added that he never considered recalling the batsman as he felt it was the right decision.

"Not at all. I've got no dramas with that. I thought it was the right decision at the time and I still think it's the right decision."

The English team showed their unhappiness after the match, with the players locking themselves up in the dressing room and refusing to head down to the presentation ceremony.

Morgan, who came down after some time, however, felt the incident was poor sportsmanship from the part of the visiting team and added that he would have recalled the batsman had he been in Smith’s shoes.

"I'm not sure what to think of it to be honest. It would have been a lot different if we were fielding,” Morgan said. “The guy throws the ball in your direction from five yards and all you can do is flinch. He was given out. It would have been a lot different if we were fielding - I think it was a natural reaction to protect himself as much as anything else."

Eminent cricket commentator however, believes it was the correct decision.

The more you look at the Stokes dismissal, the more out it looks. No way of knowing intent, you have to judge the action, the movement.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 5, 2015

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Former players react

Morgan’s views have found more support with most of the former cricketer’s also suggesting that Stokes was reacting evasively.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special: "It was a poor decision. Anyone who has played the game knows that when the ball is thrown at you from close range like that you put your hand up to protect yourself. When you see it real time he fears the ball is going to hit him. It was obvious."

Another former England skipper Alec Steward also shared the same opinion.

"He was taking evasive action - common sense will tell you that. He's looking the other way. Show me someone who can catch the ball looking the other way? You would have thought between the three umpires that common sense would have prevailed," he said.