Former ICC Umpire Claims Ben Stokes Accidental Six Should Have Been Five Runs

The incredible moment when Ben Stokes accidentally get a six, when the ball was thrown at his bat and ran away to the boundary, should have been a five, according to one umpire.

Without three sixes from Ben Stokes in the last two overs of the 'normal' game there's no way England would be World Cup winners and according to former ICC umpire Simon Taufel one of them shouldn't have been a six.

Speaking to Fox Sports former umpire Simon Taufel explained why he believes the six in the 50th over that came from Martin Guptill throwing the ball and it hitting Ben Stokes bat before going off to the boundary should have been a five and left Adil Rashid on strike, saying, "They (England) should have been awarded five runs, not six. It's a clear mistake ... it's an error of judgment."

Stokes apologises following his fortunate six. Image: PA Images

Rule 19:8 explains why the Australian believes this to be the case, "If the boundary results from an overthrow or from the wilful act of a fielder, the runs scored shall be

- any runs for penalties awarded to either side

- and the allowance for the boundary

- and the runs completed by the batsmen, together with the run in progress if they had already crossed at the instant of the throw or act."

Cricket.com.au explain that there is a huge grey area though as the moment when the ball hit Stokes' bat could be counted as 'the act.'

So if umpires believed the throw was the important part then it should only have been five runs but if the act is ball hitting the bat and that's the conclusive part then the six is correct.

Tauffel explained that he didn't blame the umpires for, in his opinion, gettin it wrong, adding, "In the heat of what was going on, they thought there was a good chance the batsmen had crossed at the instant of the throw.

"Obviously TV replays showed otherwise."

Stokes wasn't going to take another run but the ball rolled for a four. Image: PA Images

The six followed one in the 49th over where Trent Boult caught the ball but carried it over the boundary by putting his foot on the rope and another the ball before which Stokes got onto one knee for a big slog to the boundary.

After the three sixes England needed three runs from two balls to win but could only manage two runs to take it to the 'Super Over' that led to their dramatic win.

Topics: New Zealand, England, Cricket World Cup, World Cup, Cricket News, Ben Stokes

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

@Sidler28