Reliving the Greatest ICC Cricket World Cup Final of All Time

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Four years ago the world was treated to a sporting spectacle like no other. The 2019 Cricket World Cup final, is not only among the greatest cricket matches ever played, but it is one of the most entertaining sporting events period. We’ve taken a trip down memory lane, looking back at the epic final and the twists and turns that eventually led to English glory.


2019 ICC Cricket World Cup

The 2019 Cricket World Cup final was contested by New Zealand and England at the historic Lord’s in London. At the time, the pair were among the top-ranked ODI teams in the world. Although they have slipped down the rankings since, they will both feature among the favourites to claim the upcoming 2023 World Cup trophy thanks to their ability to rise to the big occasion.

England can be found at around 10/3, while New Zealand can be backed at 15/2 to etch their names on the trophy. For those looking to get the most out of their World Cup experience, the bet365 bonus code nz not only offers a new player bonus for casino, but also bet credits to enjoy on major sporting events such as the upcoming ICC World Cup.

England were 2/1 favourites to emerge triumphant on home soil four years ago, but that support dwindled somewhat when they lost three of their nine group games. In fact, it was India and Australia who looked most likely to go all the way, with both nations winning seven matches in the group stage. It looked even less likely that New Zealand would cause a stir, with the Black Caps only qualifying for the knockout stage thanks to their superior net run rate over Pakistan.

However, New Zealand beat table-toppers India by 18 runs in the first semi-final, before England destroyed Australia by eight wickets to set up what would soon become one of the greatest cricket matches ever.

All Square After 50 Overs

On a damp and cloudy day in London, New Zealand won the toss. Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham top-scored for New Zealand, hitting 55 and 47 respectively as the underdogs stumbled to a solid, yet unspectacular 241/8. Given England had already surpassed the 300-run mark on six occasions at the World Cup, they were expected to cruise to victory.

A defiant New Zealand attack had other ideas! Most England fans forget New Zealand had them 86/4 roughly halfway through their innings, with Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Colin de Grandhomme taking crucial wickets. Unfortunately for New Zealand fans, unless you get rid of Ben Stokes, the game simply isn’t over.

With the game going down to the wire, England needed 15 off the last over. And some final over it was. We all remember that remarkable moment Stokes dived for his crease and his flailing bat caught the incoming ball, sending it flying over the boundary. The Englishman pleaded his innocence but it looked like the damage had already been done. Incredibly, it still wasn’t over, with the final two deliveries of the innings resulting in wickets. It was all tied and heading for a super over.

The Super Over

Stokes and Jos Buttler were the pair chosen to take the crease against the pace of Trent Boult. Two boundaries were hit and England managed 15 off the over. So the stage was set for Martin Guptill and James Neesham. The pair needed 16 runs to claim the crown for the first time in their history, righting the wrongs of their 2015 World Cup final defeat.

Some nervy bowling commenced, with New Zealand putting themselves in a strong position, needing two off the final delivery to win the World Cup. Guptill was the man on strike and he knocked the ball to mid-wicket as the pair desperately raced to find the winning runs. Against all odds, some exceptional fielding from Jason Roy and equally brilliant wicket-keeping from Buttler meant the Black Caps were run out with the super over tied.

Nothing could separate the two nations after 300 deliveries, and even another six balls wasn’t enough to establish a clear winner. England lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time thanks to scoring more boundaries: 26-17.


Everything came together for England on that day to provide the English fans with a breathtaking spectacle. There is no doubt some sour memories for the New Zealanders, especially given the controversy surrounding Stokes’ wayward bat. However, although it didn’t go their way, they played their part in a sensational piece of sporting history.

The game embodied everything that cricket stands for. It is unlikely we will ever see a World Cup final quite as special as that, or any cricket match for that matter! The game will live on in the memories of those who witnessed its greatness, and it will no doubt be shown for hundreds of years to come.

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