The West Indies Under 19 captain who appealed for a controversial obstructing the field dismissal in a World Cup match has backtracked and said he did not act in the "spirit of the game".

Wicketkeeper-batsman Emmanuel Stewart appealed to umpires during the U19 World Cup match against South Africa on Wednesday after batsman Jiveshan Pillay picked up the motionless ball and threw it to the West Indies captain.

The left-handed Pillay, who had raced to 47 in the 17th over, had inside-edged a delivery back onto his pads and reacted quickly and moved to stop the ball rolling onto his stumps. However the ball missed the stumps and came to a stop, before Pillay picked it up and threw it at Stewart, who immediately appealed to the umpire.

After some discussion, the umpires upheld the appeal – as they were obliged to do under Law 37.4.

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Law 37.4 (Returning the ball to a fielder) reads: Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her person to return the ball to any fielder.

"I asked the question and it was given out based on the laws and the rules of the game," Windies captain Stewart said after the match.

"But on reflection it wasn't in the spirit of the game. I think moving forward I would have withdrawn the appeal."

The Proteas U19 coach Lawrence Mahatlane said: "Our take is very simple. We play to the laws of the game, and it's part of the laws. It's happened so hopefully we'll learn for a long time from it."

Hermann Rolfes celebrates Emmanuel Stewart's wicket // Getty

Stewart, the Windies No.3, was given a fierce send-off from South Africa's Hermann Rolfes after he was bowled for 2 from 17 balls as South Africa U19s recorded a 76-run win.

The West Indies drew the backing of former Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who was a near lone voice in support of the highly-contentious decision.

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"It's in the rule book so fair play," Johnson wrote on Twitter. "Follow the rules, that's the spirit of the game right?

"It's pretty simple, follow the rules, batsman shouldn't pick up the ball he isn't fielding."

Johnson added that he "can't stand it" when batters touch the ball, but did concede he would probably "give a warning first" before considering an appeal for obstruction.

Johnson took particular umbrage with South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who tweeted the decision was an "absolute joke" and he had thrown the ball to a fielder many times previously.

This is a absolute joke...not in the spirit of the game .I have done this almost a 100 times. https://t.co/nX0KUJ9PI4 — Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) January 17, 2018

"Maybe you should stop doing it," Johnson replied on Twitter.

"Whether we like or not, it's law in the game. As for spirit of the game, the players didn't do anything wrong right? #healthydebate"

The exchange harks back to the thrilling Cape Town deciding Test on Australia's last visit to South Africa in early 2014.

There, du Plessis picked up the ball in the 34th over and threw it to Johnson, who was irate.

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"They are pretty aggressive about that ball," du Plessis said at the time. "I thought I was just being a nice guy picking the ball up, saving their legs in the field.

"But they run like a pack of dogs around you when you get close to that ball. Whatever, that is probably the way they play their cricket. I always pick the ball up, it means nothing."

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who was one of the few players to walk off without waiting for an umpire's verdict if he knew he was out, joined the chorus of condemnation for the West Indies U19s.

I'm sorry but this is absolutely ridiculous.................... Honestly, I'm speechless!! https://t.co/ezfqPt55Ja — Dane van Niekerk (@danevn81) January 17, 2018

Disgusting! Once again WI junior team involved in a matter that goes against the spirit of the game. Law or not, I've seen @ABdeVilliers17, @stevesmith49 and @imVkohli pass ball back to fielder. Follow their example youngsters! Play hard but play fair within spirit of game! https://t.co/wePF1N3rKS — mark boucher (@markb46) January 17, 2018

Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop called for the law to be revisited.

"It's not a law that I think is appropriate and I think we can have another look at it," said Bishop, who was commentating on the match.

"Because the ball had stopped. The batsman was not trying to gain an unfair advantage.

"The umpires must follow the law – there is no out or opinion for them, there is an appeal, they must follow the law, so I think the law itself must be looked at."