Ben Stokes’ dismissal for obstructing the field, which itself a controversial rule, during the second ODI between England and Australia generated huge controversy. While England is complaining it is not out, Australia, who are just one match away from the ODI series win after a 3-2 Ashes loss, is saying they followed the rule.
But, Australia’s second match win is not well appreciated as controversial wicket has replaced that. Stokes joined an unwanted list of six batsmen who were declared out for obstructing the field in ODI cricket. On the overall, in the history of international cricket, Stokes is the seventh person being dismissed for obstructing the field.
In 138 year history of international cricket in England obstructing the field incident happened twice. Len Hutton was the first English cricketer, who was a victim of this rule in 1951.
It is in ODI cricket, in which this unusual dismissal happened for the sixth time before the Ben Stokes incident. In the last 28 years, One Day International cricket has seen seven obstructing the field dismissal.
Asian cricketer’s are the unluckiest as this list comprised of four Pakistani and one Indian cricketer.
The first batsman to get out for obstructing the field was Rameez Raja of Pakistan on November 20, 1987. Rameez needed just one run to complete his century against England in Karachi but was given unusual out for the third time against England. Rameez was looking for a second run off the final delivery to reach his hundred, on the way to the striker’s end, but he was adjudged obstructing the England fielder.
In this list there is one great batsman, without him any list of unusual dismissal will not be complete. The batsman is Inzamam-ul-Haq. The stout cricketer had got out of being involved in many a funny incidents. He was once given out for obstructing the field against arch-rival India. India was touring Pakistan in 2006. It was the first ODI of the tour. The match was played at Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. India batting first scored 328 runs. Pakistan lost the match by 7 runs. But, it was Inzamam’s dismissal that created controversy. He blocked a throw from Raina with his bat while standing a couple of yards out of his crease. After the match in column for newspaper he wrote: “Such not very common laws need to be explained properly and in detail,” but after more than 100 Tests and 350 one-day internationals, he might have known about this one.
The only Indian batsman, who got out for obstructing the field is Mohinder Amarnath. India were playing against the new sensation of world cricket Sri Lankan in Ahmedabad, in 1989. India won the match by only 6 runs. Sidhu and Amarnath had 61 runs partnership before Amarnath was adjudged by umpire Khizar Hayat to have obstructed the field. Amarnath had kicked away the ball as Ratnayeke, the bowler, and Ranatunga were converging on it. This was the second such dismissal in a one-day international after Ramiz Raja.
Here is the full list of obstructing the field dismissal:
| Player | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Date |
| Rameez Raja | 99 | Pakistan | England | Karachi | Nov 20, 1987 |
| Mohinder Amarnath | 28 | India | Sri Lankan | Ahmedabad | Oct 22,1089 |
| Daryll Cullinan | 46 | South Africa | West Indies | Durban | Jan 27, 1999 |
| Inzamam –ul-Haq | 16 | Pakistan | India | Peshwar | Feb 6, 2006 |
| Mohammed Hafeez | 0 | Pakistan | South Africa | Durban | Mar 21, 2013 |
| Anwar Ali | 7 | Pakistan | South Africa | Port Elizabeth | Nov 27, 2013 |
| Ben Stokes | 10 | England | Australia | The Lord’s | Sept 5, 20 |