England wins her first World Cup after a thrilling tie

By Kersi Meher-Homji

What a thrilling nail-biter at Lord’s in London last night! What a roller-coasting cliff-hanger! The 2019 Cricket World Cup (CWC) could not have ended on a more exciting note. Imagine a 241 run, 241 run tie!

An exhilarating moment for home team England winning her first ever CWC on a super over! And a heart-breaking experience for New Zealand coming so close to her maiden CWC triumph but losing it by a whisker!

Winning the toss, New Zealand batted first and scored 8 for 241 runs in 50 overs. Opener Henry Nicholls was the top scorer with 55 runs as England’s fast bowlers Chris Woakes and Liam Plunket took three wickets each.

Despite Ben Stokes (84 not out) and Joss Buttle (59) adding 110 runs for the fifth wicket, England was all out for 241, Kiwi quickies Lockie Ferguson and Jimmy Neesham claiming three wickets each.

This was the fourth tie in the history of CWC but it was for first time in a Final:

. In Birmingham 1999, Australia and South Africa had totalled 213 runs each.

. In a rain-interrupted match at Durban in 2003, Sri Lanka totalled 9 for 268 in 50 overs. South Africa scored 6 for 229 in 45 overs when it rained heavily. By Douglas-Lewis method it was considered a tie.

. In Kingston 2007, Ireland and Zimbabwe had totalled 221 runs each.

Back to last night’s tied match between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, a super over was bowled to each team. England won by 26 runs to New Zealand’s 17.

England’s Ben Stokes was adjudged Man of the Match. New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson was voted the Player of the Tournament.

Consolation for India

. India topped the Points Table before the semi-final; securing most points 15, followed by Australia 14, England 12 and New Zealand 11.

. India’s opening batsman Rohit Sharma scored most runs in the 2019 CWC, 648 at an average of 81.00, hit most number of centuries, five and struck most 4s, 67.

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