England’s cricketers wrote their names into the history books at Lord’s, winning their first World Cup title in a final that will go down as one of the most dramatic ever produced in team sport.
It seemed as though nothing could separate them from New Zealand, with the sides battling to an unprecedented tie, both sides locked on 241 after 100 overs of nerve-shredding tension that cast Ben Stokes as the home side’s hero of the hour.
That paved the way for a super over, a six-ball shoot-out that had only occurred 11 times in international history and never before in an ODI.
Incredibly, the teams went blow-for-blow once again, Stokes and Jos Buttler hitting 15 off Trent Boult before Jofra Archer conceded 14 off his first five deliveries.
For a moment there was confusion, Stokes holding his arms out by way of apology as New Zealand’s fielders wrestled with disbelief and outrage. Even then the drama was only half complete, New Zealand incredibly pulling off two run-outs in a row to end the game in a tie.
Stokes and Buttler resumed for the historic super over, both hitting a boundary as they set a winning target of 16, leaving the stage to Archer.
A six from Neesham swung the pendulum once more but Archer finished well before Roy and Buttler combined for a run out that will live forever.