If you’re a cricket fan, have you recovered yet? Last Sunday, cricket lovers were treated to one of the greatest fifty-over matches in the history of the game, and on the biggest possible stage.
England, who had overpowered India, New Zealand and Australia to reach the final, were strong favourites on their own patch at Lord’s against a tough Black Caps outfit. Two teams, both with a trail of hard luck stories and humiliations behind them, went on to produce a World Cup final that was ultimately decided by the last ball of a Super Over. Millions of cricket fans tuning in on Channel Four and SKY television were treated to a game that was packed with drama, twists and turns.
New Zealand took the brave decision of batting first and against a high-quality England bowling attack, they scraped out a battling 241/8. It looked a little low, but when it was the turn of the England batsmen to sweat in the Lord’s crucible, they discovered just have tough it was to chase in a World Cup final, against a bowling attack that was arguably the best in the tournament.
The final hour contained all the drama you could ever need. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler appeared on course to steer England to victory. Then Buttler holed out and the required run-rate began to creep up as Stokes ran out of partners. With fifteen needed off the last over, Stokes hit a six and then had an incredible stroke of fortune when England were awarded four overthrows after a Martin Guptil throw hit Stokes’ bat and ran to the boundary. Still the drama wasn’t done. Great bowling from Trent Boult clawed back the initiative, and England could only level the scores.
That meant a Super Over. England put fifteen runs on the board in theirs and up against youngster Joffra Archer, New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham hit a six off the third ball. The Black Caps needed two to win off the final ball but after hitting the ball to deep midwicket, Guptill was unable to get back for a second in time, and England won, by virtue of having scored more boundaries.
So how does this rate against the best World Cup finals? Both the 1983 and 1992 finals were notable for the surprise successes of India and Pakistan respectively. The tension of the 2011 World Cup, when India and Sachin Tendulkar overcame pressure and expectation to win it will be long remembered. And the 1975 final, which swung first towards West Indies, then towards Australia, then back again provided gripping entertainment. But none of those games, great as they were, could quite match the drama of Lord’s on Sunday July 14, 2019.
For England, meanwhile, there is now the Ashes to look forward to. They are currently rated as the Evens favourites to reclaim the prize and you can be sure that England cricket fans looking for the best odds on Bigbetbookmakers.com will be keen to back their team after this World Cup triumph.
