Stokes questions if Bairstow exit in 'spirit of the game'

England captain Ben Stokes insisted he would not have wanted to win a game of cricket with the kind of appeal that led to Jonny Bairstow's controversial exit during Australia's victory in the second Ashes Test at Lord's.

READ | Australia win fractious 2nd Ashes Test despite stunning Stokes century

Shortly before lunch on Sunday's final day, Bairstow -- the last of England's recognised batsmen -- fell for 10 when he wandered out of his ground after ducking a Cameron Green bouncer, with quick-thinking wicketkeeper Alex Carey under-arming the ball onto the stumps.

Bairstow thought he had secured his ground by tapping his bat behind the crease.

WATCH | Bairstow's controversial dismissal sends Lord's into revolt

Australia captain Pat Cummins could have withdrawn the appeal but the decision was referred to third umpire Marais Erasmus, who ruled Bairstow had been stumped, with England now 193-6 chasing a target of 371.

As spectators jeered the decision and taunted the tourists, Stokes, then on 62, launched a blistering assault on Australia's bowlers.

He made a stunning 155 but could not prevent England falling to a 43-run defeat as Australia went 2-0 up in the five-match series.

Bairstow had been dismissed off the last ball of the over, with Stokes telling the BBC: "When is it justified that the umpires have called over?

"Is the onfield umpires making movement, is that enough to call over? I'm not sure. Jonny was in his crease then out of his crease.

"I am not disputing the fact it is out because it is out."

However, Stokes added: "If the shoe was on the other foot I would have put more pressure on the umpires and asked whether they had called over and had a deep think about the whole spirit of the game and would I want to do