Controversy at Lord’s: Smith, Morgan argue over what could have Ben

Stokes’ dismissal for obstructing the field overshadows Australia’s 64-run win.

LONDON: Australia captain Steven Smith had no qualms about his part in the controversial dismissal of England’s Ben Stokes for obstructing the field in the second ODI at Lord’s on Saturday.

World Cup holders Australia won by 64 runs to go 2-0 up in the five-match series but the result was overshadowed by the exit of Stokes during England’s unsuccessful run chase.

In the 26th over, Stokes drove straight back to bowler Mitchell Starc who then hurled the ball back towards Stokes. The England man, leaning back and turning his head away, stopped the ball with his hand while being out of his crease.

Australia appealed, believing Stokes had prevented a possible run out, and on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena of Sri Lanka and former England batsman Tim Robinson referred the issue to third umpire Joel Wilson.

The relevant cricket law talks about “wilful obstruction” but does allow batsmen to protect themselves from injury. West Indian official Wilson gave Stokes out for 10, sparking a chorus of boos at the ‘home of cricket’.

Smith could have withdrawn the appeal but saw no reason to do so. “[Matthew] Wade had a good view of it from behind the stumps, and he said straightaway that he thought the ball was missing Stokesy and was going to go on and hit the stumps” said Smith. “The way I saw it, he was out of his ground, and he wilfully put his hand out — and he was given out by the third umpire.”

The booing, of Starc especially, continued until the end of the match, which came when England captain Eoin Morgan was out for 85, the highest score in a total of 245.

Smith felt the crowd’s harsh reaction was uncalled for. “I thought that was quite disappointing,” he said. “The umpire deemed it to be out. So I think we’ve just got to move on from that, and continue playing the game.”

Morgan had his own eye-witness view of events as he was the non-striker when Stokes was given out. “The guy throws the ball in your direction from five yards, and all you can do is flinch,” he told Sky. “He was given out...I think it was a natural reaction to protect himself as much as anything else. My interpretation of it was that his reaction wasn’t deliberate.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th,  2015.

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