England vs India: Former cricketers put forth an indifferent angle to Ben Stokes' dismissal

After the close of play on the first day of England’s opening Test against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, the home team finds themselves in a precarious position. The Brits could only manage 285/9 in 88 overs. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings commenced proceedings for the Poms, but off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin drew first blood by dismissing Cook in his second over.

Jennings and Joe Root built a healthy stand after which fast-bowler Mohammed Shami nipped out Jennings and Dawid Malan in quick succession to peg the home team back. However, Root and Jonny Bairstow put on 104 runs for the fourth wicket and looked ominous for the visiting team. Nevertheless, a superlative throw from Virat Kohli accounted for Root’s wicket when the batsman was on 80 runs.

After the dismissal, Ben Stokes, the all-rounder who recently made a comeback to the team after his injury layoff, took charge. He scored 21 runs from 41 balls and looked determined to end the day for the Three Lions on a high. To his agony, he became Ashwin’s third victim. The tweaker dished out a short-pitched delivery and Stokes tried to play the cherry down the leg side.

North, Atherton, and Jones question Sam Curran

Unfortunately, the leather found the leading edge of the willow and traced into Ashwin’s hands. Meanwhile, many former cricketers like Marcus North, Michael Atherton, and Dean Jones pointed out a bizarre aspect to the dismissal. When Ashwin took the catch stretching on to his left, Sam Curran, at the non-striker’s end, moved away and made it simpler for the bowler to grasp the leather.

The cricketers questioned Curran for not standing his ground, which would’ve made the catch much more difficult. Moreover, he wouldn’t have breached the rules and regulations. As per the law, “37.1.1 Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action.”

Here are the tweets from the three veterans

Just seen Stokes dismissal for the first time…why didn't S.Curran stand his ground at the non strikers!? Instead he moved out of the way to give Ashwin a clear right of way to catch the ball. 😞

— Marcus North (@Marcus_North) August 1, 2018

Absolutely. Should have stood his ground

— Mike atherton (@Athersmike) August 1, 2018

The non striker always must hold his ground… but if he makes one movement towards the bowler.. then it’s deemed as obstruction.. then the question is .. which batsman is out? https://t.co/PTA74P0vSg

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) August 1, 2018

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