\'That Overthrow Will Haunt a Generation\': \'Stoke\' of Luck Behind England\'s Win Sparks Debate

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'The Overthrow That Will Haunt a Generation': England's 'Stoke of Luck' That Clinched World Cup Victory Sparks Online Debate

England needed 9 runs from the final three balls when a twist that very few bright scriptwriters could have conceived happened right in front of our eyes.

News18.com

Updated:July 15, 2019, 8:16 AM IST
'The Overthrow That Will Haunt a Generation': England's 'Stoke of Luck' That Clinched World Cup Victory Sparks Online Debate
Ben Stokes dives to take a run. (Twitter/ cricket world cup)
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In the end of the most astonishing, mind-numbing, preposterous World Cup final, England somehow, emerged victorious for the first time ever, and became the champions of the world.

The game see-sawed to the point that it made some giddy, and its New Zealand who can accept the outcome with the grace that they showed, after the game slipped out of their hands in a super over – the first the World Cup has seen.

England needed 9 runs from the final three balls when a twist that very few bright scriptwriters could have conceived happened right in front of our eyes.

Stokes heaved again and the ball sped to midwicket. Martin Guptill swooped and sent it back to the wicketkeeper’s end to which Stokes was sprinting to complete a second run. He dived desperately for safety; the ball struck his bat and was consequently redirected towards the pavilion.

It impacted the equation to the extent that the heart-stopping contest stretched to the Super Over and eventually the hosts lifted their maiden World Cup trophy.

In these circumstances the principle is that the batsmen should not run, which was observed by the two England players. But once the ball had crossed the boundary the umpires had no alternative but to signal that six runs have been scored.

"It was a shame that the ball hit Stokes' bat, but I just hope it doesn't happen in moments like that. I don't wish to nitpick, just hope it never happens in such moments ever again," Williamson said.

"The NZ side showed a great amount of heart to get us to this point, but it just wasn't meant to be. The guys are shattered at the moment - it is devastating. It's pretty tough to swallow at this stage. But a fantastic effort from our guys," said the skipper.

Stokes later apologised to New Zealand for that lucky unintentional touch.

"In the last over when the ball hit the bat and went for four - I apologized to Kane for that."

For fans, the moment was a long-deadly roller-coaster ride packed in a matter of seconds. Nobody could believe their eyes. Spectators channeled their disbelief on Twitter and reacted in all ways possible. Many have said that they cannot possibly believe that the deflection by Stokes wasn’t intentional.

Yeah, “man”:

Same:

Williamson, who was adjudged the player of the tournament for scoring 578 runs and for his brilliant captaincy, said they were a few runs short.

"We thought runs on the board - we would have liked 10-20 more. But in a World Cup final this was a competitive total. The bowlers really put the batsmen under pressure. It had to go down to the last ball, and then the last ball of the next little match, but a great match all round."

"There were so many moments that could've gone either way, but congratulations to England - they've had an incredible campaign and they deserve it."

Winning skipper Eoin Morgan acknowledged the brave brand of cricket New Zealand displayed throughout the tournament.

"I'd like to commiserate Kane and his team. The example that they lead is hugely commendable to him and his team," he said.

Morgan then appreciated the batting efforts of his colleagues Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.

"On a tough wicket where everyone found it tough to score, Buttler and Stokes put together a partnership, and I thought that would take us deep, and it did. This has been a four-year- journey - and we find it hard to play on wickets like that. To get over the line today means the world to us."

"Full credit to the two boys who went out for the superover, given that they were there most recently. Archer just improves every time he goes out there. Really incredible - everyone in the changeroom today, Willey, Billings, whoever missed out on the squad - I'd like to mention them too."

Man of the match Ben Stokes, who had tears in his eyes after England completed the win, was lost for words.

"All the hardwork that's gone on in these four years, and to execute with such a good game is unthinkable. Thanks to everyone for all the support. We just kept talking during the partnership with Jos, and the run-rate wasn't getting away. It's fantastic, the lads, the family, and the support, it's just been incredible," he said.

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