Image Credit: CNN International
By Lee Clow
14 July 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup
For the first time in history, England have won the ICC Cricket World Cup after beating New Zealand in one of the most amazing games ever played.
An emotional rollercoaster of game led to a Super Over being played after both sides scored 241 in their 50 overs. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler stepped up for England to bat in the Super Over and managed to score 15 runs. New Zealand fought back and managed to bat a six from the second ball. Two runs from New Zealand was all that was needed to win the World Cup, but they could only get one from the last ball meaning despite being level, they lost by virtue of hitting fewer boundaries in the match - 17 to England's 26.
A remarkable day for everyone involved in English Cricket as they completed an amazing turnaround since being dumped out in the group stage of the previous World Cup.
Ben Stokes was arguably England’s hero in becoming World Cup champions having rescued them from 86-4 to tie New Zealand's 241-8. England needed 15 from Boult’s final set and after two dots and a heave over deep mid-wicket, an outrageous moment of fortune fell Stokes’ way. Diving for his ground to complete a second run, Stokes' bat was inadvertently struck by the throw and deflected the ball for four overthrows to make six in total. These vital runs kept England in the game and forced a Super Over to be played to decide the winner. Stokes also came out on top when he and Buttler scored 15 runs in the Super Over. New Zealand could not better this and could only tie which meant the World Cup would be won by England due to the hosts hitting fewer boundaries.
After the game, the stars of the winning team gave their thoughts:
England batsman Joe Root spoke. "Wow! It's hard to sum it up. What a day, what a tournament. Everyone has done everything asked of them. We have performed under pressure.” He continued "It was almost written in the stars for Ben Stokes. He's had such a tough time. I'm so proud of him and pleased for him and his family."
Jofra Archer said. "I was pretty sure I was going to bowl it [the super over]. My heart is still racing! It's the biggest thing I've ever won. A great bunch of fellas, a really good family to me."
Finally, England captain Eoin Morgan gave his final thoughts on the game and his teams progression. "There wasn't a lot in that game. I'd like to commiserate Kane Williamson and his team. The fight they show is worth aspiring to, the example they set is commendable to all. It was a hard, hard game where people found it hard to score…This has been a four-year journey, we have developed a lot. We find it hard to play on wickets like that and today was about getting over the line. Sport is tough at times.”
A perfect day for England with the perfect setting at Lords. Under the evening sunshine, the England fans helped the team roar to victory. This day will go down in history of the sport but also down in English folklore with England being the first country to have won the World Cup in 3 different sports (Football - 1966, Rugby - 2003, Cricket - 2019).
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