'Hand ball and penalty'

A round-up of the reactions on Twitter to Ben Stokes being given out obstructing the field

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Sep-2015

Usually I hate to be a fence-sitter but I really do think you can make a good argument either way on that obstructing call #engvaus

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) September 5, 2015

Think what went against Stokes was that he moved his hand to bring it in line. Umpire had to decide if deliberate or in defence. Tough call

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 5, 2015

The more you look at the Stokes dismissal, the more out it looks. No way of knowing intent, you have to judge the action, the movement.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 5, 2015

Third umpire should have been shown that in real speed. Difficult to determine it was wilfully done, as per the Laws

— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) September 5, 2015

In real time would Stokes really have had time to think about deflecting ball from the stumps? Stand by for bowlers hurling ball at batsmen

— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) September 5, 2015

Only shocking thing re Stokes' dismissal is that he didn't cling on to it..!

— mark butcher (@markbutcher72) September 5, 2015

Fielders believe they have been denied a run out, batsman avoiding being hurt!!Both have valid points! Who'd be an Umpire ????

— Mark Stoneman (@mark23stone) September 5, 2015

Replays don't really confirm whether Stokes was protecting himself or his stumps. So it's just a matter of opinion.

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 5, 2015

Still at least Stokes wasnt out in as silly a way as last time he was batting at Lords… #engvaus

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) September 5, 2015

Hand ball and penalty. #ENGvAUS

— Iain O'Brien (@iainobrien) September 5, 2015

Common sense would tell you @benstokes38 was taking evasive action & was not obstructing the field. Smith should have withdrawn the appeal

— Alec Stewart (@StewieCricket) September 5, 2015

MCC may have just crossed off one name from their possible list of speakers at next years Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture!!

— Alec Stewart (@StewieCricket) September 5, 2015

Something poetic about the laws being enforced – correctly – at the home of said laws, and the fury of the crowd within. #EngvAus #Stokes

— Izzy Westbury (@izzywestbury) September 5, 2015

This whole stokes starc brouhaha was worth it just for that Merv Hughes reaction! #ENGvAUS

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) September 5, 2015

I've just seen #BenStokes dismissal there is no doubt he should of been given out.The ball was feet away from his face.

— Paul Nixon (@Paulnico199) September 5, 2015

That moment not good for what has been a hard fought summer of cricket. Had time to think about it and should have withdrawn his appeal.

— Ashley Giles (@Gilo) September 5, 2015