LONDON – England won the men’s World Cup for the first time as they beat New Zealand following a dramatic sudden-death super over in one of the most thrilling matches in cricket history.
Both sides scored 241 from their 50 overs, meaning they had to bat again for six balls each.
England scored 15 in their super over. With two runs needed from their final ball to win, New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill scored one before being run out.
That meant the super over scores were tied, and England won on virtue of having scored more boundaries in the match.
The barely believable final at Lord’s was tied twice and was decided on boundaries, ensuring England’s four-year journey ended with them being crowned world champions.
That it even got to that stage was astonishing in itself and came as a result of the first tied World Cup final played in front of an electric and ecstatic home of cricket.
England required 15 from the last over of the regular match. Ben Stokes hit a six and benefited when a throw from the deep hit him and went for four overthrows.
He could not get the two needed from the last ball – Mark Wood was run out coming back for the second – but ended 84 not out and joined Jos Buttler at the crease for the super over.
They plundered 15, roared on by an febrile crowd that belted out Sweet Caroline in the change of innings.
In the New Zealand reply, Jimmy Neesham hit Jofra Archer’s third ball for six, then scrambled to leave Guptill with two to get.
As Jason Roy’s throw came in from deep mid-wicket, a diving Guptill was short as Buttler removed the bails, sending England and the whole of Lord’s into delirious celebrations. (BBC)
