Stokes row overshadows Australia win

AFP, LONDON: England all-rounder Ben Stokes’s controversial dismissal in being given out obstructing the field promised to be the lasting memory of Australia’s 64-run win in the second one-day international at Lord’s on Saturday. Victory put the World Cup holders 2-0 up in the five-match series as, for the second fixture in a row, England failed to chase down a target of more than 300 despite skipper Eoin Morgan’s defiant 85.
Australia captain Steven Smith paved the way for his side’s last 10-over push to a total of 309 for seven Smith top-scored with 70, before falling to Adil Rashid’s leg-spin, as Australia, fresh from their 59-run win in Southampton on Thursday, were sent in by Morgan in awkward overcast conditions for batting.
Together with George Bailey (54), he put on 99 for the second-wicket in a match reduced by rain to 49 overs per side. Australia’s battery of big-hitting all-rounders then came to the fore as 96 runs were scored in the last 10 overs.
Man-of-the-match Mitchell Marsh, out off the last delivery of the innings for a 31-ball 64, struck seven fours and three sixes off his own bat. But the flashpoint moment came in the 25th over of England’s reply. All-rounder Stokes struck a straight drive which was stopped by bowler Mitchell Starc. Left-arm paceman Starc then hurled the ball back hard towards Stokes’s end who, leaning back and turning his head away, stopped it with a hand taken off the bat. Australia appealed.
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 or rule talks about “wilful obstruction” and does allow batsmen to protect themselves from injury. After lengthy deliberation, West Indian official Wilson, having watched slow-motion replays but not one at full speed, gave Stokes out for 10, sparking a chorus of boos.

 

 

Stokes row overshadows Australia win

AFP, LONDON: England all-rounder Ben Stokess controversial dismissal in being given out obstructing the field promised to be the lasting memory of Australias 64-run win in the second one-day international at Lords on Saturday. Victory put the World Cup holders 2-0 up in the five-match series as, for the second fixture in a row, England failed to chase down a target of more than 300 despite skipper Eoin Morgans defiant 85. Australia captain Steven Smith paved the way for his sides last 10-over push to a total of 309 for seven Smith top-scored with 70, before falling to Adil Rashids leg-spin, as Australia, fresh from their 59-run win in Southampton on Thursday, were sent in by Morgan in awkward overcast conditions for batting. Together with George Bailey (54), he put on 99 for the second-wicket in a match reduced by rain to 49 overs per side. Australias battery of big-hitting all-rounders then came to the fore as 96 runs were scored in the last 10 overs. Man-of-the-match Mitchell Marsh, out off the last delivery of the innings for a 31-ball 64, struck seven fours and three sixes off his own bat. But the flashpoint moment came in the 25th over of Englands reply. All-rounder Stokes struck a straight drive which was stopped by bowler Mitchell Starc. Left-arm paceman Starc then hurled the ball back hard towards Stokess end who, leaning back and turning his head away, stopped it with a hand taken off the bat. Australia appealed. 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 or rule talks about wilful obstruction and does allow batsmen to protect themselves from injury. After lengthy deliberation, West Indian official Wilson, having watched slow-motion replays but not one at full speed, gave Stokes out for 10, sparking a chorus of boos.