Ben Stokes insists he did not wilfully seek to obstruct the field during England's 64-run defeat at Lord's after the incident that saw him pick up one of the rarest forms of dismissal in the sport
Ben Stokes falls after being struck by the throw from Starc at Lord's on Saturday
London: Ben Stokes insists he did not wilfully seek to obstruct the field during England's 64-run defeat at Lord's after the incident that saw him pick up one of the rarest forms of dismissal in the sport.
Ben Stokes falls after being struck by the throw from Starc at Lord's on Saturday. Pics/Getty Images
The all-rounder became only the second England player to be given out 'Obstructing the Field' when the hosts were chasing Australia's 309-7 in the second ODI on Saturday.
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Mitchell Starc's second delivery of the 26th over was defended by Stokes stepping out of his crease. Starc in his follow-through aimed a throw at the stumps and the ball struck Stokes' arm as the Durham man turned to make his ground.
England skipper Eoin Morgan protested the dismissal at the time and was also seen in conversation with Australia counterpart Steve Smith after the game, but Stokes told ESPNCricinfo: "A guy was standing there five feet away from me and it was just a complete reaction.
Mitchell Starc throws to dismiss Ben Stokes
"I didn't put my hand there wilfully, it was purely out of human reaction to protect myself. But the decision was made, there's nothing I can do but it wasn't wilful whatsoever.
"It's one of those decisions, you can't look back and have regrets because it's made. You can't change what's happened it's just a shame it came to the uproar it has."
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