R Ashwin shined for India with the ball on Day one of the first Test between England and India at Birmingham. Ashwin picked up four wickets on day 1, to send England into a freefall of wickets after a decent start.
However, the day was marred by controversy over the dismissal of all-rounder Ben Stokes at the hands of R Ashwin. Ashwin had Stokes caught and bowled off a long hop. Stokes hit the ball towards the leg side in direction of the bowler, who graciously accepted the catch.
However, former Australia player Marcus North pointed out that the non-striker Sam Curran should have stood his ground, instead of moving and making it easy for Ashwin to catch the ball.
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
Had Curran stood his ground, Ashwin would have collided into Curran, and the catch would, in all probability, not have been taken. North found support in Michael Atherton.
Absolutely. Should have stood his ground
— Mike atherton (@Athersmike) August 1, 2018
Even Dean Jones had a confusing question about this sort of dismissal.
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
If we talk about the laws, Law 37.1.1, quoted in verbatim: “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. See also Law 34 (Hit the ball twice).”
