Marnus Labuschagne believes Australia need clarity from the ICC on Marcus Stoinis’s controversial dismissal against South Africa, after the five-time champions slumped to a second-straight loss in India.

Australia were thoroughly outplayed by the Proteas in Lucknow as their winless start to the tournament continued, beaten by 134 runs in their biggest ever World Cup loss.

Pat Cummins’ men put down six catches in the defeat and were never really in the hunt after being bowled out for 177 in pursuit of 312 for victory.

But the game was not without controversy with Stoinis given caught behind off Rabada when the ball touched his bottom hand on the way through to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

The allrounder’s glove was not on the bat but third umpire Richard Kettleborough ruled it was still touching the other hand which was holding the handle.

Marcus Stoinis interacts with umpire Joel Wilson after being dismissed. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Stoinis and Labuschagne remonstrated with on-field umpires over the call and questioned if that was the case as front-on replays appeared to show a clear gap between the hands.

“It was certainly confusing and I’m sure we’ll get clarity or we’re going to seek for clarity,” Labuschagne said.

“Because it’s a World Cup and we don’t want small decisions that can be avoided to change the outcomes of games.

“Obviously in the situation we’re in it’s hard to say that it was going to change the outcome today, but for the future you certainly want to make sure we get them right.”

Australia had earlier been their own worst enemies in the loss with their fielding extremely sloppy in an uninspiring bowling innings.

But with the team likely needing to win up to six of their last seven to reach the semi-finals, Labuschagne denied a long lead-in to the tournament could be part of the issue.

“We certainly have played a lot but I’m not here to sit and make excuses,” he said.

“We’re playing the World Cup for Australia. We have to be ready, we have to be better than that.

“It’s hard to put your finger on it.

“We’re one of the best fielding sides in the world, we pride ourselves on that. And we just didn’t seem to get it right today.”