Cricket: Aussies survive twin blows but no love lost at Lord's

England's Ben Stokes dives for the crease after fending off a throw from Australian Mitchell Starc. Photo / AP

Australia overcame the loss of two stars to win a controversial and at times spiteful one-day clash with England at Lord's.

On the second ball of the day, the world champions lost opener David Warner to a broken thumb which will keep him out for four to six weeks, and finished the match without luckless allrounder Shane Watson, who looks set to be sidelined with a calf strain.

But they recovered to prevail by 64 runs, having bowled England out for 245 - in part thanks to the controversial dismissal of allrounder Ben Stokes.

The dynamic left-hander was given out over the little-used "obstructing the field" law when he stuck out a hand and deflected a shy at the stumps from Australian quick Mitchell Starc.

The Laws of Cricket state that a batsman must be trying to "wilfully attempt to obstruct or distract the fielding side" to be dismissed obstructing the field.

Stokes, who was on 10, was not looking at the ball when he blocked it, and his movements appeared to be more self-preservation than any intention of protecting his stumps.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade immediately appealed, along with Starc, and umpire Kumar Dharmasena referred the decision to the third umpire Joel Wilson, who gave Stokes his marching orders.

The dismissal reduced England to 4-141, and triggered a collapse of 5-46 before a 55-run partnership between Eoin Morgan (85 off 87) and Liam Plunkett (24 off 12) pushed Australia to the end.

The incident enraged the Lord's crowd, who booed for half an hour and hurled abuse at Starc.

The bowler responded by clean bowling Plunkett to end England's resistance and silence the crowd.

Glenn Maxwell finished with two wickets while Pat Cummins claimed 4-56. Earlier, Mitch Marsh blasted a blistering half century to carry Australia past 300 after Steve Smith (70) and George Bailey (54) had set the platform.

- AAP