[Frankie]

Aussies dominating at the end of Day 2. Can England avoid the follow on? They would have by now if all of Mitchell Johnson’s No Balls had been called.

Seriously WTF is going on with No Balls? Seems Bowlers are only referred for a check for overstepping when a wicket falls. The rest of the time Bowlers can do as they please bowling from 20 yards without feeling restricted.

[Frankie]

I see the convicts have tarnished the game of cricket yet again appealing for Ben Stokes to be given out for Obstructing the Field, with the appeal being upheld by the Third Umpire. Disgraceful almost woke some of the MCC members up from their gin and champagne soaked slumbers.

Interestingly Stokes is the first Englishman to be given out in this way. The other cricketers comprise of One Indian with all the rest being Pakistani. Speaks volumes.

FWIW I have no idea what Stokes was trying to do, in fact he almost caught the ball as his hand was cupped but thought better of it. Still you can’t miss a chance to have a dig at the Aussies.

[gonzo]

When the ball is coming at you at pace it's pretty natural to get your hand to it to protect yourself.

[WankingWodger]

What a disgrace to far play and sportsmanship. Fuck off Aussies if that is the only way to win.

[kuranda_bagman]

Lack of premeditation doesn't excuse the act

By the laws, there was every reason to give Stokes out.

The wording is that a batsman must wilfully interfere with a fielder's work by word or deed, and representations for Stokes centred around the word "wilful". If it was a flinch response, how could that apply?

But on the replay, Stokes reached his hand well outside the line of his body and hit the ball away from the stumps. The ball wasn't aimed at him and wasn't going to hit him.

Stokes is a left-handed batsman. He played the drive down the pitch, then took a couple of steps while expecting that it would beat the bowler. Once it didn't, he urgently needed to get back.

He began to turn towards his right, with the bat handle held in his right hand. The throw was also going past his right hand.

At that point, while turning, Stokes reached his left hand all the way across his body, and extended his arm nearly full length. The ball hit his palm, given by this stage Stokes almost had his back to the bowler.

He was looking back towards Starc until shortly before impact.

This was not the act of someone reflexively protecting his body, it was the act of someone reflexively intercepting the ball.

There's every likelihood that the action was instinctive, and it certainly had no time to be premeditated, but that doesn't change its effect or its intent.

[kuranda_bagman]

Here's the video

http://zippy.gfycat.com/GorgeousResp...Blackbird.webm

[bazzap]

Exactly right John


Pretty obvious why he was given out.

Typical Poms. They invented the game and its rules and when the rules go against them, its bad sportsmanship by the opposition.










If ever England were going to win a one day series against Australia, this was their big chance. Coming off an Ashes series win and top performances against the Kiwis, they should have been full of confidence.


Johnson, Hazlewood, Finch, Faulkner from the WC winning side six months ago are not there. Clarke and Haddin retired as well. In this game, Warner took no part and Watson could not bowl.



And yet, the Aussies continue to win. The machine marches on.

[ferocious]

fair enough if the on field umpire had given it out it was the fact the Aussies went crying with a review

[WankingWodger]

The Aussies wouldn't know about fair play and etiquette of cricket if it came up and hit them with a cricket bat.

I suggest we put Bazza and Bagman in the middle of the Soi and then we throw cricket balls as hard as we can from 18 yards at them and see how they react.

They need to have a word with that fine upstanding sportsman Stuart Broad about sportsmanship.

[Fork Handles]

it wasn't the Aussies who asked for a review. Starc seemed unsure of what the rule was. Dharmasena called for a review. All of which gave Smith ample time to remember that it was only a one-day match and make a gesture that would have reset the tenor of future games.