Its all down to two teams New Zealand and England for the World Cup Finals. After the 1996 World Cup, we will see a new champion. Both New Zealand and England have never won the World Cup. New Zealand won the Semi-final 1 against India by 18 runs and England defeated Australia in the second Semi-final by 8 wickets. This final was one of the biggest thrillers of the ODI Cricket history. The match was a tie, super over was a tie. England won the match by most boundaries. Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in the World Cup finals. Watch key moments of the match.
1. New Zealand Innings
New Zealand started slowly, with Martin Guptill tried to play aggressively. Guptill hit Jofra Archer for a six and a four in the same over. But his innings didn’t last long as Chris Woakes plumbed him in front of the wicket. Martin Guptill got out on 19. Kane Williamson along with Henry Nicholls put together 74 runs partnership.
Kane Williamson got dismissed at 30 by Liam Plunkett. Henry Nicholls scored the half-century. An only half-century in New Zealand’s innings. Henry Nicholls scored 55. For New Zealand, all their batsmen got starts but were unable to convert it to the big one.
Ross Taylor was poorly given out, the replay showed that the ball was clearly missing the stumps.
The umpiring was very poor in the finals as there were three decisions which were wrongly given. New Zealand scored 241 runs in their 50 overs for the loss of 8 wickets.
Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes were the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets each. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood took a wicket each.
2. England Innings
England started poorly. New Zealand kept pressure in the England batting as Matt Henry dismissed Jason Roy early in the 6th over. Jason Roy made 17. The pressure of the final was clearly visible in English batsmen as they were batting very slowly. Joe Root was the second one to go at 7 in 30 balls on Grandhomme. Jonny Bairstow was the next to go. He made 36 and knicked one to the wickets on Lockie Fergusson.
Captain Eoin Morgan was looking edgy and got out on Jimmy Neesham. Lockie Fergusson was once again in the action as he took a spectacular catch to get rid of England captain.
Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes put together a brilliant 110 runs partnership. Both scored half-centuries. Lockie Fergusson took Jos Buttler’s wicket at 59. Ben Stokes holds one end till the last.
3. Last Over Climax
England needs 15 runs in the last over. Trent Boult bowled the final over. The first two balls were a dot. Ben Stokes cleared the 3rd ball for 6. The fourth ball was the most dramatic one. Ben Stokes smeared away towards deep midwicket for a couple, but the throw from the boundary of Guptill touched Stokes bat which crossed the fence for four. England got six in that ball. England needs 3 in the last 2 balls. These two balls gave just 2 runs and the game went for super over. Ben Stokes made 84 not out.
4. Super Over – Tie
England batted first in the Super Over. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler took guard for England and made 15 runs in their six balls. New Zealand sent Jimmy Neesham and Martin Guptill. New Zealand needed 2 runs at the last ball. But Martin Guptill got run out. The Super over got a tie as well. Check out the video
Ben Stokes was declared as a Man Of The Match.
Kane Williamson won the Player of The Tournament award.
England was declared winners as they scored most boundaries. Well though England won the World Cup, New Zealand has won billions of hearts.
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