England lost by 64 runs on a controversial day at Lord’s as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the one-day international series.
Eoin Morgan (85) batted brilliantly at times, yet for the second straight match his team were unable to chase a total of more than of 300, this time faltering to 245 all out in 42.3 overs.
England’s response to 309 for seven veered off course when Ben Stokes became just the sixth batsman in international cricket to be given out for obstructing the field.
In mid-air while trying to regain his ground as Mitchell Starc threw the ball back to try to run him out after fielding a straight drive, Stokes thrust out his left hand.
Following the instinctive referral from Kumar Dharmasena on the field, slow-motion perusal by third umpire Joel Wilson was enough to convince the officials Stokes was out.
He therefore fell to his sport’s rarest mode of dismissal – the laws stipulating he must have made a “willful attempt to obstruct or distract the fielding side”.
Morgan was clearly angry, with the performance of his outplayed team and with opposing captain Steven Smith for not withdrawing the Stokes appeal.
“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,” Morgan said.
“The decision was made and I certainly feel it would have been different if we were fielding.
“I think it was a natural reaction to protect himself as much as anything else.”
Smith stood by his decision, however, saying: “I think that (Morgan’s reaction) is a little bit disappointing. The umpires are there to make a decision, it went upstairs to the third umpire and he saw it the same way we saw it and it was given out.
“If you wilfully put your hand out in front of the ball, then you’re given out and that’s the way it went.”
Either way, for England it was the beginning of the end. Jos Buttler continued his unproductive summer when he was lbw on review, pushing forward at Glenn Maxwell, and Moeen Ali swept the off-spinner to square leg.
The hosts were up against it already after half-centuries from captain Steve Smith, George Bailey and a third in just 26 balls from Mitch Marsh helped Australia overcome the disadvantage of batting first in a match shortened to 49 overs each after a delayed start.
Stokes’ departure left England 141 for four in the 26th over. Despite Morgan’s increasingly clean hitting, especially in a half-century eighth-wicket stand with Liam Plunkett which contained seven fours and three sixes in just 20 balls, England could not get close.
England had lost both of their openers inside 12 overs, Alex Hales driving Nathan Coulter-Nile inside out to cover and Jason Roy caught behind chasing a wide one off Pat Cummins (four for 56).
James Taylor (43) was dropped on one and nine but could not make his fortune count. He departed for his second 40-plus score in as many innings when he edged Marsh behind.
England had won the toss and the tourists had to contend with lateral movement off the pitch against the new ball.
They also lost David Warner retired hurt when Steven Finn hit him on the left thumb with the second delivery of the match. Warner did not return and will miss the remainder of the series after X-rays revealed a fracture. He will fly home tomorrow.
Of the game, Smith said: “I thought our players played a very good game and showed some great character. Hopefully we can continue playing good cricket and win this series in the next game.”
