England won the World Cup 2019 final by 0 runs, screamed a newspaper headline ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final at Lord’s. England were crowned world champions in one of the most dramatic cricket matches the sport has ever witnessed.
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There were so many variables that went England’s way. Lady luck smiled on Eoin Morgan’s men who became the first-ever men’s team from England to lift the 50-over World Cup trophy after a tied Super Over. On the other hand, there was agony for New Zealand who did everything that they could to win their first title.
On a Lord’s pitch that had something for everyone, New Zealand huffed and puffed to 241. England lost their wrecker-in-chief Jason Roy early and were reeling at 86 for 4 before Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler led the recovery with a 110-run stand.
In one of the most thrilling finishes in the sport, England needed 15 runs in the final over but all that they could manage was 14. It could have been curtains for the hosts had the rub of green not gone their way in the final over.
England were awarded 6 runs for an overthrow after the ball deflected off Stokes’ bat. Stokes was trying to complete a double at the striker’s end but before he could reach the crease, the ball ricocheted off his bat to the boundary. 6 runs for England in a tense final over.
However, questions have been raised over the veracity of the officials’ decision to award 6 runs for the overthrow in the final over. According to International Cricket Council rules, not 6 but 5 runs should have been awarded as the act of overthrow took place even before Stokes completed the 2nd run.
What does the ICC rule say
19.8 Overthrow or wilful act of fielder
“If the boundary results from an overthrow or from the wilful act of a fielder, the runs scored shall be any runs for penalties awarded to either side and the allowance for the boundary and the runs completed by the batsmen, together with the run in progress if they had already crossed at the instant of the throw or act.”
With England finishing with 241 on the board, the match went to a Super Over. England batted first and posted 15 runs on the board. New Zealand batted second and posted 15 but England were declared the new world champions due to more boundaries hit during the Super Over.
The ICC rule to decide the Super Over tie on the basis of number of boundaries scored has come under severe criticism. Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris took to social media to slam the decision.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was graceful in defeat.
“No-one probably thought they would have to sort of result to some of that stuff. But yeah, very tough to swallow. A great game of cricket and all you guys probably enjoyed it,” Williamson said.