‘Cup Comes Home’ says England after winning maiden Cricket World Cup

After 44 years, England are now crowned as the World Champions and to add up the happiness this has happened on their own soil

The whole world was holding its breath when the announcement of Super Over was made after the ICC Cricket World Cup Final between England and New Zealand went under a tie. The fans in the stadium were praying for both the teams, screaming the names of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Neesham during the game. Though the Super Over also ended into a tie but England won by the virtue of scoring more boundaries. And then the cricketing world got their first ever new World Cup Champions, England!

England lifted their maiden ICC World Cup trophy, beating a battle-hardened New Zealand in a nerve-wracking final that was decided via a dramatic Super Over here on Sunday. Opting to bat, New Zealand once again put up a modest batting performance under overcast conditions to post 241 for eight against a quality England pace attack that kept on asking probing questions.

Ecstasy vs Agony

It was simply the brilliance of the mighty Ben Stokes who overpowered New Zealand in the Super Over along with the support of Josh Buttler. London on Sunday was full of an enthusiastic crowd that was cheering for the Wimbledon finals, Grand Prix and then it was the ICC World Cup. And the win for England turned out to be a classic one as the match had all the ingredients to catch the eyeballs of every single individual around.

England was all out for 241 on the last ball of the 50th over, chasing New Zealand's 241 for eight. England scored 14 in the last over but Mark Wood was run out seeking the second run that would have won it for the hosts.

Ben Stokes, who finished on 84 not out, came back for the Super Over with Jos Buttler amid scenes never before seen at the home of cricket. New Zealand needed two off the last ball of Jofra Archer's over but Martin Guptill was run out coming back for the second run and England triumphed due to hitting more boundaries on the day.

44-years wait comes to an end

For England, this World Cup has not just been a physical journey but an emotional and mental journey too. Winning the first ever World Cup is a feeling that is going to stay with the players and the nation forever. After 44 years, England are now crowned as the World Champions and to add up the happiness this has happened on their own soil.

Though the semi-finals qualification of the hosts was in complete jeopardy as they lost to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia in the group stage. But the team lifted up the spirits and successfully defeated India and New Zealand to seal the semi-finals berth.

The game was filled with too much of excitement, thrill, jubilation, and drama from the first ball till the last as the Super Over scenario has never happened in any World Cup final till date. England finally got the formula to crack that code to end their World Cup trophy drought.

England now is the third team after India and Australia to lift the World Cup trophy at home. Cricket itself originated from England, it is their game and today with the power-packed performance by each and every player, the team has proved their worth and proved the fact that this game belongs to them and they are the world champions.

How World Cup pattern has changed

We all know how cricket has grown over the years. From test formats to one day and now T20s. Cricket has experienced tremendous changes not only in the formats but also in the rules and regulations of the game. It is also true to tweak the game a bit with the fast-moving world of technology. Players getting a chance to review the umpire decision is something no one expected, but this change has given authority to the captains as well to challenge the umpire’s decision.

Because of the T20 format, the pattern to score runs has also changed a lot. Analyzing the scoring pattern during the World Cup, then from 1987-99, the teams scored 300 plus run twice. Between 2003-15, teams scored 300 plus run 39 times. In 2006, Australia scored a total of above 400 and in 2018, England set the record of 481 runs. This all happened because of the T20 format that the players are seasoned for now. They have become quick with the bats and the time that they take to accelerate these days is much faster as compared to what it used to be in previous times.

And in this World Cup finals, we all saw that even the 100 overs are not enough to decide the champion. Both the teams defeated the strongest sides of the world in semi-finals that are India and Australia, in nail-biting clashes, just small stroke mistake and you are out.

Though England has finally got the chance to say that “Trophy Comes Home” but New Zealand has won the hearts of millions today with their outstanding display of gentleman cricket. This was indeed the best World Cup final ever as the fans cannot thank enough for an action-packed Sunday!

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