Cricket World Cup 2019 Final Played at Lords on 14 July 

England Vs New Zealand 

Brief Scorecard: England 241 All Out (BA Stokes 84*, JC Buttler 59, JM Bairstow 36, Neesham 3/43, Fergusson 3/50, Grandhomme 1/25): New Zealand 241/8 (Nicholls 55, Latham 57, Williamson 30, Plunkett 3/42, Woakes 3/37)

Match Tied Both Teams Scoring Equal Numbers of Runs 

Super Overs: England 15, New Zealand 15/1

England Was Declared Winner for Striking higher numbers of Boundaries 

In a breath taking, heart breaking close contest which neither team deserved to loose England was declared winner per ICC CWC2019 rule for scoring higher numbers of boundaries. The intriguing World Cup final the match was tied (the best ever) England (241 All Out) and New Zealand 241 /8 in allotted overs. In the super over England scored 15, New Zealand also scored 15/1. The match was unlocked per tournament rules. England won its first ever world cup title .New Zealand also was glorified in defeat. There cannot be any other match which can be more equally contested. Congratulations blues and blacks for making CWC 2019 epic final an exciting memorable contest.

In pre tournament analysis England was one of the top favorites.  The name of CWC 2015 losing finalists New Zealand was considered along with few other teams to qualify for the semi final. Even before the final analysts considered New Zealand was underdog by some distance. Proving all pre tournament predictions and preview of the final Black Caps from the wonderful country New Zealand almost steamed across the finishing tape. But in the photo finish decision by the rules of the tournament England won the trophy. New Zealand with broken heart remained contend as losing finalist once again.

Winning the toss in the final of cricket in a global event often becomes an advantage. In cricket unless the wicket has early hours assistance to the bowlers or the overhead condition favors swing with the new ball , the team batting first can post a decent total. Chasing in the nerve wrecking final often gets big. On the day brave captain Kane Williamson won the toss and without a second thought elected to bat. 

Their star opener Martin Guptill struggling for his form appeared delivering. He was looking good striking two fours and a six in his 18 balls 19 before steady English pacer Woakes trapped him in front. Captain cool Williamson joined Nicholls and these two very skillfully contained the very aggressive and hostile pace bowling of Archer, Woakes, Wood, Plunkett and Stokes. Williamson has done the same all through the tournament. The 2nd wicket pair 89 invaluable runs steadying the boat of the Kiwis across the English Channel. 

Williamson could not extend his innings beyond 30 when Plunkett utilizing the sluggish nature of the wicket had him caught behind. After his departure neither Nicholls (55) nor Taylor (15) could stabilize the middle order. Nicholls was removed by Plunkett while Wood accounted for Taylor. When they left at 4/141 Tom Latham (47) carried on and with some assistance of Neesham (19) and Grandhomme (16) towards a respectable score of 241 /8. All English bowlers Woakes 3/37, Plunkett (3/42), Archer (1/42), Wood (1/49) bowled economically to restrict New Zealand to a chase able score. But considering the nerve wrecking pressure of the final and quality of Kiwis bowling on a not too different surface where Kiwi bowlers thrive 241/8 was a challenging score.

Kiwi bowlers bowled with a plan and Captain Williamson marshaled his resources exceptionally well. Inform English opener Roy was not allowed to let loose. Henry had him LBW within power play. Even Bairstow had to grind. After initial burst of Henry, Boult and Fergusson, Neesham and Grandhomme struck gold. Two quality English batsmen Root and Morgan were sent back to the pavilion very early. England from 1/28 soon was reduced to 4/86. The pressure of pressing Kiwi bowling and smart fielding got so intense that flamboyant Buttler and Stokes could not tee off. However they hanged on together keeping the target within sight. Buttler felling to an wonderful diving catch of substitute Souhee after scoring almost a run a ball 59 in 60 deliveries off the bowling of Fergusson left task on the broad shoulder of Stokes. But his work started getting stepper and tougher as Kiwis sensing blood started bowling and fielding with sense of urgency. 

How well Williamson shuffled his bowlers and set the field. Woakes, Plunkett and Archers were taken out making England reeling at 8/227 by 49th over. Stokes had only Rashid and Wood with him and requiring 15 runs in the last over of Boult for a win. Stokes struck a six in the second ball and luckily earned 6 in the third in a bizarre fashion. Going for a quick run with the intention for a couple the throw from the fielder stuck his back and deflected to the boundary. Rashid got run out on the penultimate delivery in efforts to giving Stokes the strike.  It was 240/9 at 49.5 overs. England required 2 for a straight win. Stokes struck the ball and went for running two. But in the process Wood got run out. Would one believe that final of a World cup match got tied. 48 matches of CWC 2019 failed to find a straight winner. 

The match rolled to SUPER OVER. England sent Dynamic Duo Stokes badly perspiring and Buttler. New Zealand had Boult bowling the super over. 15 runs were scored which witnessed few clever balls, great strikes, good diving saves and smart running. New Zealand had to score 16 for the win. Guptill came to bat with Nessham. England had their Young West Indian born Jofra Archer bowling. The cricket world was rocking .Players of the teams were sweating. New Zealand required 1 for a tie, 2 for the win. Believe it or not the score was level. Kiwis were 15/1. There was a run out last ball as the pair tried for the winning run. The teams were separated but only just. 

ENGLAND BECAME CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD. NEW ZEALAND WENT TO A HAND SHAKING DISTANCE AS FOTUNE DID NOT FAVOR THEM.

There were questions asked whether that crucial throw striking diving Stokes on the back should have earned 5 not 6? If that happened New Zealand would have been the champions.

Stokes for his heroics was adjudged Player of the match.

NEW ZEALAND CAPTAIN FOR HIS COURAGEOUS BATTING THROUGH OUT THE TOURNAMENT AND MARSHALING HIS RESOURCES SO WELL WAS RIGHTLY NAMED PLAYER OF THE SERIES.

BDST: 1123 HRS, JUL 15, 2019
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