CRICKET... BLOODY HELL
In the greatest World Cup final ever, arguably the greatest game ever, England beat the Kiwis on boundaries scored after nothing else could separate the two sides in an incredible, nerve-shredding, awe-inspiring Lord’s showdown
BEN STOKES led England to World Cup glory with the innings of a lifetime to spark rampant celebrations at the end of the craziest game in history.
A tied finish meant a Super Over of epic proportions.
England scored 15 off theirs, with the Kiwis matching that from Jofra Archer’s seven deliveries – he opened with a wide – and the sides were still level.
But England were crowned world champions because they had scored nine more boundaries than their opponents in a pulsating game.
Cue pure joy on the field for the hosts and home fans at Lord’s and across the country.
Twelve months ago, Archer was expecting to have to wait a few more years before qualifying for England – yet here he was asked to bowl the single most important over of his life to win a World Cup.
That he was able to do so was a credit to him and his nerveless character, especially after being hit for six by Jimmy Neesham. It also spoke volumes for skipper Eoin Morgan, who knew who to trust to get the job done.
With two runs needed from the final ball, Martin Guptill could only find Jason Roy in the deep and his throw allowed wicketkeeper Jos Buttler to whip off the bails as the Kiwi opener lay stranded on the turf.
Cue wild, unbridled celebrations befitting a game that took both sides to the depths of despair before England were the lucky ones and lifted their first ever World Cup.
In the first extra over, Stokes – who looked exhausted – and Buttler added another two boundaries to the tally in a total of 15 runs against Trent Boult’s bowling. It did not look enough, but Archer held his nerve. Winning on boundary count was appropriate for a team who have re-written the record books with their attacking style of play over the past four years, built on batsmen who pepper the ropes for fun. But on a sluggish pitch that did not encourage shotmaking, they had to find another way to get past a gallant New Zealand team. That is why Stokes’ innings of 84 not out to give England that final sixball shot at glory will go down in history.
Here was a man who has known more heartbreak than most having seen his final over disappear for four successive sixes in the 2016 World T20 final to give West Indies victory.
This was his redemption. And as the tears streamed down his cheeks at the conclusion of an exhilarating and emotionally-draining contest it was clear just how much it all meant.
“It feels pretty good,” said Stokes. “All the hard work that’s gone in over the last four years, this is what we aspired to be. I don’t think there will ever be a better game in cricket history.”
It was an innings that had everything as England set off in search of New Zealand’s 241-8, only to find themselves in an 86-4 sized hole with the pressure telling on the top four.
Stokes and Buttler had their work cut out to rebuild the innings, but did so with a partnership of 110 before Buttler was caught looking for another big shot.
Stokes kept his cool as partners came and went until he was left with the equation of 22 from nine deliveries and had to find the boundary. He sent the ball soaring away to long on and Boult took a catch, but stepped back onto the rope as he did so to make it a six.
In the final over, with 15 still needed, England benefited from a huge slice of good fortune. As Stokes dived for the crease to try to defeat Guptill’s attempt to run him out, the throw bounced off his outstretched bat (left) and the ball raced away to the boundary.
“When the ball hit the bat there was nothing I could do,” said Stokes. “I’ve apologised to Kane countless times because that’s not the way you want to get over the line.”
The way the Kiwis were high-fiving Stokes as he left the arena following the Super Over showed there were no hard feelings, but this game can be cruel.
For England though this World Cup will forever be kind.