Ben Stokes' Obstructing-the-Field Dismissal Only Sixth in Cricket History

Australia's emphatic 64-run thumping of England to go 2-0 ahead in the five-match series of one-day internationals has been upstaged by Ben Stokes' controversial dismissal at Lord's on Saturday. The England all-rounder entered the record books for becoming only the sixth batsman given out 'obstructing-the-field'.

England were 141 for three, chasing a daunting 310 to win, when Ben Stokes was given out by the TV umpire for 10 'obstructing the field' for stopping paceman Mitchell Starc's shy at the stumps with his left glove while out of his crease. Stokes said he was just trying to "protecting himself."

Interestingly, all five previous instances of players given out 'obstructing-the-field' have been Asians - four Pakistanis and one Indian. There are 10 ways a batsman can be given out. 'Obstructing-the-field' and 'handling the ball' are extremely rare instances. Mohinder Amarnath, a World Cup winner, is the only man to be given out in these bizarre fashion -- 'obstructing-the-field' in 1989 (versus Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad) and 'handling the ball' in 1986.

The four Pakistanis given out 'obstructing-the-field' were Rameez Raja (1987 vs England in Karachi), Inzamam-ul-Haq (2006 versus India in Peshawar), Mohammad Hafeez (2013 vs South Africa in Durban) and Anwar Ali (2013 vs South Africa in Port Elizabeth). Off these, Raja's dismissal was the most tragic - he was out on 99 trying to run a couple when on 98!

Cricket's law No. 37 states that "Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if he wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. Also since 2011, under the new regulations, if an umpire feels that a batsman, in running between the wickets, has significantly changed his direction without probable cause and thereby obstructed a fielder's attempt to effect a run out, the batsman should, on appeal, be given out, obstructing the field. It shall not be relevant whether a run out would have occurred or not."

Stokes' dismissal has divided world opinion. The England all-rounder defended himself saying: "A guy was standing there five feet away from me and it was just a complete reaction. 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," added Stokes.

Here is what Glenn Maxwell had to say on the Ben Stokes dismissal yesterday. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/aSrOD4aP8p

- Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) September 6, 2015

The Australians, of course, are not accepting Stokes' explanation. "It was blatantly out. 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," said Aussie skipper Steven Smith.

"If the guy throws the ball in your direction from five yards then all you can do is flinch, you don't have time to think," said England skipper Eoin Morgan. "The decision was made and I certainly feel it would have been different if we were fielding."