Dhaka, July 14 – After dramatic twists and turns, England beat New Zealand in the final at the cricket’s spiritual home- Lord’s – on Sunday to win their maiden ICC World Cup.
After the match was tied, it went to the Super Over. However, the Super Over was also tied as both England and New Zealand scored identical 15 runs.England won the match by virtue of hitting more boundaries to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time.
The match went to the Super Over as it was tied after England ended on 241 all out in reply to New Zealand’s 241 in 50 overs.
England, who hosted the first-ever cricket world cup back in 1975, had to wait 44 years to lift their first trophy. The slogan- it’s coming home- was hugely popular among English football fans during the last FIFA World Cup in Russia when England qualified for the semifinals. But their dream was shattered as Croatia beat them in the semifinals.
However, Eion Morgan-led England did their best to erase that painful memory winning their first Cricket World Cup. Coincidentally, England wore the crown of cricket at London, the same venue where they won their first and only Football World Cup back in 1966 at the Wembley Stadium.
New Zealand won the toss in the final and opted to bat first in the wicket which appeared friendly to the bowlers.
Martin Guptill was the first batsman to get dismissed scoring 9 off 18 balls before he was trapped lbw by Chris Woakes. After him, New Zealand lost Henry Nicholls and Kane Williamson respectively for 55 and 30. Both fell prey to Liam Plunkett.
New Zealand never looked to have dominated over the hosts’ bowler as they lost wickets in regular intervals. Eventually they ended their innings with 241 runs for 8 in 50 overs. Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett bagged three wickets each for the hosts.
While reply, England lost four wickets before posting 100 runs on the board. Matt Henry scalped Jason Roy for 17. Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham followed Henry properly removing Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Eion Morgan respectively for 36, 7 and 9.
At this stage of the game, the fate of the was swinging like a pendulum. However, Ben Stokes and Joss Buttler had another idea as they posted 110 runs in the fifth wicket stand to propel England to the close to seal the game.
The stand was broken when the substitute fielder Tim Southee took a brilliant catch to remove Buttler for 59 off 60. England were 46 runs away from winning the game. – UNB