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The ODI Cricket World Cup in 2019 was one spectacular event. Particularly, the final between England and New Zealand played at Lord's - precisely two years ago with both teams fighting for their maiden title - has to go down in history as one of the most remarkable matches of cricket ever played. There was not a run to separate the two teams after 100 overs of cricket and neither could the teams be separated after a one-over eliminator as both the team yet again ended with the same total. However, England were declared World Cup winners on the basis of a now scrapped boundary count rule.
The game reinforced the idea, and those who had any doubts were convinced, that cricket remains a game of uncertainties. It should also be noted that never again will a World Cup winner be decided on the basis of that rule since the International Cricket Council (ICC) later changed that with the rule of successive Super Overs until a result is obtained. However, for Kiwi fans it was a heartbreaking defeat.
Watch the finish here:
While England batted first in the Super Over and managed 15 runs in their six balls, courtesy a boundary each from Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler off Trent Boult, a James Neesham six off Jofra Archer did not prove to be enough for the Black Caps to reach their target of 16 runs.
In the end, Martin Guptill needed 2 runs off the last ball to win the World Cup for his side and he clipped the ball of a fuller length angling into him, towards deep midwicket. Despite it being a tough second, Guptill needed to get back on the crease to go for the win since a tie wasn't going to be good enough owing to the boundary count rule. Under pressure, Jos Buttler collected a wide throw and dived to dislodge the bails to catch Guptill well short before beginning the victory celebration.