On this day in 2019 – England become World Champions in a dramatic final
Three years have passed, but still the memories of that epic 2019 World Cup final remain fresh. 14th July 2019 is the most important day in the history of English cricket, and it was the day when the England side lifted their maiden fifty-over World Cup trophy, defeating New Zealand through the controversial boundary-count rule.
On this important day, the New Zealand side won the toss and elected to bat first. Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham were the two batsmen who provided the impetus to the New Zealand side. While Nicholls played the role of anchor and scored a 77-ball 55, Tom Latham scored 47 off 56 deliveries, as New Zealand scored 241/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
For England, Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett were the pick of the bowlers. While Woakes scalped 3 wickets, giving away 37 runs in the 9 overs that he bowled, Plunkett too, picked up 3 wickets and gave 42 runs in his 10 overs.
In the run chase, England lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 86/4. But then, the 110-run partnership between Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler kept England in the hunt. And, even after Buttler departed after scoring 59, Stokes stayed till the end for England. And, the world witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes on the grandest stage of the game.
England needed 15 runs to win off the final over. The first two deliveries were dots, and Stokes hit a monstrous six off the third delivery. The next delivery resulted in a lot of drama. Stokes hit the ball towards the leg side and called for two. The fielder threw the ball to the end Stokes was running, the ball hit Stokes’ bat and went to the boundary. And, six runs were added to the England total.
And, with two runs needed off the last delivery, Stokes scored a single and the match ended in a tie. But then, there was more drama in store in the Super Over. England wielded the willow first in the Super Over and scored 15 runs. New Zealand scored the same total too, and the Super Over too ended in a stalemate.
And, based on the boundary count rule, England clinched the 2019 World Cup trophy under sensational circumstances. And, for his magical knock under pressure, Ben Stokes was awarded the Player of the Match award.
