New Delhi: Over the years, many dismissals have created controversies in cricket, latest being that of Ben Stokes against Australia at Lord's.
Chasing Australia's 309, Stokes faced Mitchell Starc in the 26th over. The English all-rounder played the third ball straight towards the bowler, who then had a shy at the stumps.
Stokes reacted to it by sticking his left-hand out and the ball deflected after hitting his hand. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade appealed and the clamour was joined by skipper Steve Smith.
On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Tim Robinson had a chat and asked third umpire for the final call. Joel Wilson, the third umpire, gave Ben Stokes out (for obstructing the field) after watching the replay in a slow motion.
Law 37 (obstructing the field) states: "Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if he wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. In particular, but not solely, it shall be regarded as obstruction and either batsman will be out Obstructing the field if while the ball is in play and after the striker has completed the act of playing the ball, as defined in Law 33.1, he wilfully strikes the ball with (i) a hand not holding the bat, unless this is in order to avoid injury. See also Law 33.2 (Not out Handled the ball). (ii) any other part of his person or with his bat. See also Law 34 (Hit the ball twice). "
According to this Law 37, it is mentioned that a player can obstruct the ball to avoid injury. If you watch it in real time motion, Stokes did the same but still he was given out by the third umpire.
Stokes became the sixth batsman, and first England player ever, to be given out for obstructing the field in ODIs. The first player to be given out for obstructing the field was Rameez Raja of Pakistan in 1987. India's Mohinder Amranath being the second.
This list will be incomplete without the Inzamam-ul-Haq. In 2006, Inzi was given out obstructing the field to a casual throw from mid-off of Suresh Raina. The Pakistan captain was way out of his crease and blocked the straight throw from Raina.
Here's how Ben Stokes was given out:
