Unbelievable,England win its first Cricket World Cup

Never in the history of World Cup Cricket was there such excitement,such a finish,such rivalry with a super-over drama as decider of the result of an international tournament.

England beat New Zealand in a stunning World Cup Cricket match at Lords,the home of cricket, after been drawn with 241 runs all out against New Zealand's 241 for 8 wickets,in the 50 over competition, on Sunday 14 July 2019.

England won the match and the Cup in an astonishing victory tie breaker 6 ball Super Over.The number of boundaries scored by England against their opponents was the decider.    No one would ever have imagined  such a way to win, but it went by the rule book.
                                      

Cricket saw England runners up three times before in 1979,1987 and 1992 World Cricket Cup matches, so this result was like like the underdog snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

It was a hard fought game in a tough wicket at the home of cricket for England's opponents, New Zealand. 

It was equally hard for England as there was a lot of preparation by England Main Coach Trevor Bayliss,an Australian by descent and his assistant,Paul Farbrace of England and England Manager Andrew Strauss and even the Groundsman as well as many, many others on and off the scene,including an incredible amount of hard work and even fingers crossed till the last minute, both by the teams and the spectators.

                               

Ben Stokes,the All Rounder was the player of the match, while West Indian young bowler,not heard of much before turned the game around with his spectacular tactics in bowling in the decider Super Over.

What was it like for me?

The last time I had witnessed such a nail biting,thrilling end to a competition was in the summer of 1966 with England winning the World Cup Football at Wembley. I could not get a ticket to watch the game, but like this time, I watched the revealing result as i was glued to the TV. 

I transported my mind to the last minute of that match,I found a similarity of purpose,an endearing excitement, an unpreparedness of the result, which for me as a Sri Lankan just arrived in UK was really unbelievable.

We Sri Lankans generally anticipate a result and blow hot and cold, have a celebration before a result of a game and often get very disappointed by the outcome.

In sharp contrast the English remain cool, calm and collected till after the result and go bonkers after the outcome. That is a tradition,I never knew nor expect, as I was

a "green horn" in England. However, after 53 years life in England, I felt there was going to be an unpredictable result, taking account of the character of the people, rather the players in England. I was not far wrong?

Cricket, lovely cricket as  Harry Bellafonte intoned ?

We all know that Australia and New Zealand have always had a great rivalry, not only in cricket, also in their All Blacks Rugby and perhaps in sheep sharing? 

Australia beat New Zealand in the last World Cup in 2015. 

New Zealand wanted to prove a point in the ICC World Cup tournament in 2019 in England,by beating England in England. 

New Zealand were confident, for me and many others seemed a better side at the start of the Final, as well as during the game. But like many Commonwealth citizens, we make the mistake of under rating the English and their ability to claim victory from the jaws of defeat. 

What New Zealand lacked in winning the current 2019 competition, they made up by being as cool,calm and civilized, which showed the traits not only of the game,but also of "being New Zealand", a hallmark of duty,dignity and discipline.

The ICC Cricket World Cup dates back to 1977.

The next World Cup Cricket competition will be held in India in 2023.

What it will be like is what Cricket was and is a sport of gentlemen, irrespective of where and when it is played.

Victor Cherubim