An over-the-moon England team was crowned the world champions for the first time in the history of men’s cricket after they beat a competitive New Zealand side in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final on Sunday at the historic Lord’s cricket ground.
However, the match result does not tell the entire story. Much to its dismay, New Zealand discovered that fine margins matter — and how! The Black Caps put up a score of 241/8 in their allotted 50 overs. England, too, reached that score but not before losing all its wickets.
Then came the Super Over. England, having posted a total of 15 runs in the critical over, must have thought it had an advantage over New Zealand. But, much to the chagrin of the English, New Zealand also reached that score.
The hosts were, however, crowned the world champions on the basis of the number of boundaries they had hit: 26, compared to New Zealand’s 17.
The decision was taken in accordance with a bizarre International Cricket Council (ICC) rule. Some experts felt that there should not have been a winner at all and the trophy should have been shared between the Kiwis and the English.
Let alone common cricket fans… even cricketers and broadcasters were befuddled by the outcome of the match.
Nice work @ICC ... you are a joke!!!
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) July 14, 2019
Neither Team deserved to lose that .. What a day for Cricket .. that is how it inspire a new generation of cricketers .. #CWC19
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 14, 2019
Well done to England but I’m genuinely confused how we have won the World Cup.
— Stephen Holt (@StephenEHolt) July 14, 2019
The scores were tied with NZ losing less wickets but we go into a super over?
The scores are tied again but England win because?
Unsatisfactory 🤔#EngvNZL
Nobody won that.
— Matt Baseley (@MattBaseley) July 14, 2019
That was a brilliant tie in regulation and another brilliant tie in the Super Over.
Have another Super Over and let’s find a winner.#CWC19 #CWC19Final
Difficult to digest this more boundary rule. Something like sudden death- continuous super overs till a result is a better solution. Understand, wanting a definite winner but sharing a trophy is better than deciding on more boundaries. Very tough on New Zealand. #EngVsNZ
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 14, 2019
Some rules in cricket definitely needs a serious look in.
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 15, 2019
Don't understand how the game of such proportions, the #CWC19Final, is finally decided on who scored the most boundaries. A ridiculous rule @ICC. Should have been a tie. I want to congratulate both @BLACKCAPS & @englandcricket on playing out a nail biting Final. Both winners imo.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 14, 2019
Congratulations to England!
— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) July 14, 2019
Commiserations New Zealand.
I’ve got to say that it’s a horrible way to decide the winner. This rule has to change.
The DL system is actually based on runs and wickets lost... yet the Final result is only based on Boundaries hit? Not fair in my opinion. Must have been great to watch!
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) July 14, 2019
Cruel!
— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) July 14, 2019
ICC drew flak for the rule that decided the match in England’s favour. However, there was no word from cricket’s governing body if it plans to change the rule after the backlash. Instead, ICC was celebrating England’s win on Twitter:
Looks like little Roy wants the 🏆 too! 😍 #WeAreEngland | #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/vFBUjWDLNw
— ICC (@ICC) July 15, 2019
Blackcaps... winning hearts ❤️ since forever! pic.twitter.com/BGFbshduDB
— ICC (@ICC) July 15, 2019
