On this day last year, the world witnessed the most dramatic cricketing match ever played in the finals of the 2019 World Cup. The clash between England and New Zealand, which raised standards of the game and the memorable moment went in favor of the English team. Match was drawn, super over was drawn and then boundary count became the deciding factor of the final clash.
First World Cup dream for both the teams
Since, 1987 it was the first time the two teams playing the final encounter of the tournament who never won the title. Last time in 1987 it was Australia and England, when Australia went on winning the cup for the first time. English side played the most finals than any other teams in the history of the tournament, while the New Zealand made their second consecutive entrance in the final after the 2015, where Australia won their one-sided encounter.
England looked strong but New Zealand counter-attacked
Eoin Morgan’s side was strong enough when it came to team balance and playing conditions, they stopped New Zealand to the total of 241 runs. In the historic run chase at Lords the hosts lost the early wickets and the Kiwi bowlers grew their stem in the game much stronger. With no hope for the recovery Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler emerged as the silver lining in the dark sky for their team, they played their part but they led their team to draw the match.
The dramatic Super-Over
Then came the super-over Stokes and Buttler went on crease for the final six balls and scored 15 runs. The opposition believed with their most reliant opener Martin Guptil and the lower order batting all-rounder James Neesham, Jofra Archer had to bowl the final over. Later on after the those six balls the match resulted in a draw in the super over as well but the boundary count played its part, which let England to lift the title. The dream for many English cricket fans became the reality for the first time.
