New Zealand legendary pacer Tim Southee retired from Test cricket with New Zealand’s joint record-margin win in Test cricket. Hosts New Zealand set a massive target of 658 runs for England in the Hamilton Test. It was the 11th-highest fourth innings target set in Test cricket history (the third largest in the 21st century). Visitors England were all out for 234 runs in the fourth innings as the hosts won by a massive 423 runs. 

Three batters managed to reach the 20-run mark

England started the fourth day of the Hamilton Test at 18/2, as the visitors lost both their openers last evening. Jacob Bethell and the former English skipper Joe Root had a partnership of 104 runs for the third wicket. Once that partnership was broken with Joe Root’s dismissal for 54 off 64 balls (10 fours), the visitors lost their wickets at regular intervals. 

The no.1 Test-ranked batter Harry Brook was dismissed for one run, and Bethell lost his wicket soon after scoring 76 off 96 balls with the help of 13 fours and one six. 

In the next batting orders, only the no.7 batter Gus Atkinson reached the 20-run mark as he scored 43 off 41 balls with the help of seven fours and one six. Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse managed to score 17 and 11 runs, respectively. Captain Ben Stokes didn’t come to bat due to a hamstring injury. 

The left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner picked up four wickets as he had bowling figures of 14.2-1-85-4.

Matt Henry got two wickets for 62 runs, while Southee picked up two wickets for 34 runs in his last Test innings. On the last day of his Test career, the right-arm pacer dismissed the highest run-scorer in the innings, Jacob Bethell. Also, Will O’Rourke claimed a wicket (1/37).

See Also: BCB confirms Shakib Al Hasan's bowling suspension status

Tim Southee took 391 Test wickets

Tim Southee retires from Test cricket after picking up 391 wickets in 107 Tests. He ended his Test career with 98 sixes, the joint fourth most sixes in Test cricket history. 

Earlier, in the Test match, New Zealand scored 347 runs in the first innings after Mitchell Santner scored 76 and captain Tom Latham scored 63 runs. In reply, England were bundled out for only 143 runs. 

In their second innings of the match, the Blackcaps scored 453 runs and set up the fourth innings target of 658 runs, after Kane Williamson scored 156, opener Will Young and middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell both scored 60 runs. 

Mitchell Santner won the Player of the Match award

Mitchell Santner won the Player of the Match award for his all-round performances. After scoring 76 runs, the left-arm spinner picked up three wickets for just seven runs. Later, the left-handed batter scored 49 more runs in the second innings and claimed a four-wicket haul for 85 runs. 

New Zealand won the Test match by 423 runs. It was their joint largest Test win by runs, as they previously won by 423 runs against Sri Lanka in the 2018 Christchurch Test. It was the joint 10th-largest Test victory (by runs). 

England won the first two Tests of the three-match Test series by eight wickets at Christchurch and 323 runs at Wellington. With this Hamilton Test win, the series ended with 2-1 in the favour of the visitors. 

NZ vs ENG Match Preview

After winning the Test series, England will look to complete a clean sweep when it plays the third and final match of this tour on Saturday. They will take on New Zealand at Hamilton's Seddon Park Stadium.

NZ vs ENG Match Details

New Zealand vs England – 3rd Match, Test Match

Venue: Seddon Park - Hamilton

Date & Time: 14th November 2024 at 03:30 AM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

NZ vs ENG Venue Stats

NZ vs ENG Pitch Report

The pitch flattens out over time and becomes easier to bat to serve as the match progresses, allowing teams batting second to fully capitalize and post a massive total.

NZ vs ENG Weather Report

The weather forecast calls for sunny skies for the first three days, with rain increasing over the last two.

NZ vs ENG Last Five Matches

NZ vs ENG Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Sri Lankan cricketer lifted from doping ban

NZ vs ENG Probable Playing XIs:

England Probable Playing XIs

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope(w), Ben Stokes(c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir

New Zealand Probable Playing XIs

Will Young, Tom Latham (C), Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (WK), Mitchell Santner/ William O’Rourke, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith Glenn Phillips

Topmost Picks for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – New Zealand

• Will Young –  Young was one of New Zealand’s top performers against India, scoring 244 runs in 6 innings at an average of 49.
• Tim Southee – Tim Southee is playing his farewell series but has managed to pick only 4 wickets.

Top Picks – England

• Harry Brook – Harry Brook has been in sensational form (349 runs in 3 innings at an average of 116), leading the run-scoring charts with two centuries and a fifty.
• Brydon Carse – Brydon Carse (16 wickets in 4 innings at an average of 12.81) leading the way as the series’ top wicket-taker.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Team:

Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Daryl Mitchell, Harry Brook(C), Kane Williamson(VC), Glenn Phillips, Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Brydon Carse

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Team:

Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra(VC), Glenn Phillips, Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Brydon Carse(C)

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Brydon Carse, Harry Brook

Vice-captain – Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson

Wicketkeeper – Devon Conway

NZ vs ENG Probable Winners:

With their heads against the wall after two consecutive Test losses, New Zealand must make a dramatic improvement to avoid a series whitewash. Their struggles in batting, bowling, and fielding during this series, however, indicate that a quick turnaround will be difficult. England, on the contrary hand, arrives in high spirits after completely outperforming the hosts. Considering the team combination, New Zealand is expected to win this match.

England seal the series with New Zealand struggling at home. Their pacers are struggling to find their usual bite and England's batters are battering them. A concern mainly has been with the catching, which is uncharacteristic given New Zealand generally have very safe hands. They are now on the verge of being whitewashed at home and Tim Southee's retirement could be something to worry about with the pace attack struggling. 

NZ vs ENG Match Details

Date: December 14th, 2024

Time:  3:30 AM IST

Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

NZ vs ENG Weather Report

Overcast conditions are expected across the Test.

NZ vs ENG Pitch Report

As there is a WTC Final spot on the line the pitches are likely to be very result friendly. There will be good grass cover and the presence of cloud cover will make it really good for swing. Batting second will be a better choice with the pitch likely to flatten out as the Test progresses.

NZ vs ENG Predicted Playing XI

ENG Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Pope, Shoaib Bashir

NZ Playing XI

Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, William O Rourke, Jacob Duffy

See Also: Today’s Cricket Match Predictions – Cricket Winner

NZ vs ENG Key Players

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson marks his return from injury with a set of fifties. He looked fluent in both innings and went past 9000 runs on the way. He remains New Zealand's most prolific batter and with the weight of captaincy off him he will be looking to contribute even more.

Chris Woakes

The effectiveness of Chris Woakes is often questionable overseas. New Zealand though could be a place where is he more important given the cloud cover and swing on offer. He will feel at home with conditions helping him and will be waiting for the new-ball

NZ vs ENG Match Tips

Both teams are in good form but New Zealand are likely to start favorites given their home advantage.

Match Prediction: New Zealand Will Win The Match

Hosts New Zealand suffered a record margin Test defeat against England at Wellington, which ended England’s 16-year-long wait for a Test series win in New Zealand. This crucial Test series defeat also hurt New Zealand’s qualification hope for the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship final. 

Joe Root scored 36th Test century

Day three of the Wellington Test started with England’s second innings total of 378/5. Former English Test captain Joe Root climbed to the joint fifth position of most Test centuries with the legendary Indian batter Rahul Dravid by hitting his 36th Test century. 

Root and captain Ben Stokes had a 100-run partnership for the sixth wicket. After Root was gone for 106 runs in 130 balls (11 fours), Stokes declared the innings at 49 not out when England scored 427/6.

See Also: Australia bounce back in the series with 10-wicket win

England set 583-run target 

Hosts New Zealand had to chase the mammoth 583-run target in the fourth innings to win the Test and level the series. The Blackcaps lost their first four wickets for only 59 runs, as the opener Devon Conway (0), Kane Williamson (4), and Rachin Ravindra (6) were dismissed for single digits, while the other opener and skipper Tom Latham was out for 24 runs. 

Tom Blundell scored century

While Daryl Mitchell (32) and Nathan Smith (42) provided some fights, wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell hit his fifth Test century. New Zealand were all out for 259 runs, where Blundell scored 115 off 102 balls with 13 fours and five sixes. 

English captain Ben Stokes bagged three wickets in 2.2 overs after conceding only five runs. Chris Woakes (2/20), Brydon Carse (2/53), and Shoaib Bashir (2/110) got two wickets each. Gus Atkinson, who took four wickets during New Zealand’s first innings (4/31), including a hat-trick, picked up one wicket in the fourth innings (1/68).  

New Zealand suffered their largest home Test defeat

England won the Test by 323 runs. It was New Zealand’s largest home Test defeat by runs. Their previous record was losing by 299 runs against Pakistan in the 2001 Auckland Test. Meanwhile, it was the Blackcaps’ third-largest Test defeat by runs, just behind the 372-run defeat against the hosts India (2021 Wankhede Test) and the 358-run defeat against the hosts South Africa (2007 Johannesburg Test). 

England won the Test series in New Zealand after 16 years

As England are leading the three-match Test series by 2-0 with one to go, they have already secured the away Test series. Previously, England won a Test series in New Zealand in 2008 (by 2-1). While their 2013 tour ended in a draw, hosts New Zealand won the next two series in 2018 and 2019. Before the ongoing Test series, England previously toured New Zealand in 2023, which ended in a draw. Finally, England won a Test series in New Zealand after 16 years. 

New Zealand were pretty slipper in the first Test and that has now likely cost them a WTC Final spot. Eight dropped catches in the first innings proved to be very costly with England commanding the proceedings. England though will be happy with the push of luck given it allowed the likes of Pope, Brook and Stokes to get some runs and confidence out in the middle.

NZ vs ENG Match Details

Date: November 27th, 2024

Time:  3:30 AM IST

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

NZ vs ENG Weather Report

Overcast conditions are expected across the Test.

NZ vs ENG Pitch Report

As there is a WTC Final spot on the line the pitches are likely to be very result friendly. There will be good grass cover and the presence of cloud cover will make it really good for swing. Batting second will be a better choice with the pitch likely to flatten out as the Test progresses.

NZ vs ENG Predicted Playing XI

ENG Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Pope, Shoaib Bashir

NZ Playing XI

Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, William O Rourke, Jacob Duffy

See Also: Today’s Cricket Match Predictions – Cricket Winner

NZ vs ENG Key Players

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson marks his return from injury with a set of fifties. He looked fluent in both innings and went past 9000 runs on the way. He remains New Zealand's most prolific batter and with the weight of captaincy off him he will be looking to contribute even more.

Chris Woakes

The effectiveness of Chris Woakes is often questionable overseas. New Zealand though could be a place where is he more important given the cloud cover and swing on offer. He will feel at home with conditions helping him and will be waiting for the new-ball

NZ vs ENG Match Tips

Both teams are in good form but New Zealand are likely to start favorites given their home advantage.

Match Prediction: New Zealand Will Win The Match

NZ vs ENG Match Preview

The second Test between New Zealand and England is expected to begin on December 6 in Wellington. England will look to build on their 8-wicket win in the first Test, when they effectively chased down a 104-run target in just 12.4 overs.

NZ vs ENG Match Details

New Zealand vs England – 2nd Match, Test Match

Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington

Date & Time: 06th November 2024 at 03:30 AM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

NZ vs ENG Venue Stats

NZ vs ENG Pitch Report

The pitch flattens out over time and becomes easier to bat to serve as the match progresses, allowing teams batting second to fully capitalize and post a massive total.

NZ vs ENG Weather Report

The weather forecast calls for sunny skies for the first three days, with rain increasing over the last two.

NZ vs ENG Last Five Matches

NZ vs ENG Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Tense Australian camp gets new major blows just before Adelaide Test

NZ vs ENG Probable Playing XIs:

England Probable Playing XIs

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope(w), Ben Stokes(c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir

New Zealand Probable Playing XIs

Tom Latham(c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, William ORourke

Topmost Picks for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – New Zealand

• Kane Williamson –  He was one of the few New Zealand batsmen to perform well in the 1st Test and will be looking to lead his team to victory in the 2nd Test.
• Tim Southee – The experienced bowler will be key in taking wickets and restricting England’s batting lineup.

Top Picks – England

• Harry Brook – Brook scored 171 in the 1st Test and will be looking to continue his good form with the bat..
• Brydon Carse – He was exceptional in the 1st Test, claiming a 6-wicket haul and 10 wickets in the match.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Team:

Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Daryl Mitchell, Harry Brook(C), Kane Williamson(VC), Glenn Phillips, Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Brydon Carse

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Team:

Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra(VC), Glenn Phillips, Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Brydon Carse(C)

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Brydon Carse, Harry Brook

Vice-captain – Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson

Wicketkeeper – Devon Conway

NZ vs ENG Probable Winners:

England's strong batting lineup and well-balanced bowling attack will make it hard for New Zealand to win. However, New Zealand has a solid home record and is not going to go down without a fight. It's expected to be a close match, but England's experience and depth could give them the advantage they need to win. Considering the team combination, New Zealand is expected to win this match.

NZ vs ENG Match Preview

England's first Test against New Zealand is scheduled to start on November 28 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. With both sides known for their fierce rivalry and exciting talent, this series promises to be thrilling as England seeks to extend their dominance in the format and New Zealand defends their home turf.

NZ vs ENG Match Details

New Zealand vs England – 1st Match, Test Match

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Date & Time: 28th November 2024 at 03:30 AM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

NZ vs ENG Venue Stats

NZ vs ENG Pitch Report

The pitch flattens out over time and becomes easier to bat to serve as the match progresses, allowing teams batting second to fully capitalize and post a massive total.

NZ vs ENG Weather Report

The weather forecast calls for sunny skies for the first three days, with rain increasing over the last two.

NZ vs ENG Last Five Matches

NZ vs ENG Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Youngest IPL signee Vaibhav Suryavanshi lands in serious controversy

NZ vs ENG Probable Playing XIs:

England Probable Playing XIs

Zak Crawley, ⁠Ben Duckett, ⁠Jacob Bethell, ⁠Joe Root, ⁠Harry Brook, ⁠Ollie Pope (wk), ⁠Ben Stokes (c),⁠ ⁠Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, ⁠Shoaib Bashir

New Zealand Probable Playing XIs

Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Topmost Picks for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – New Zealand

• Kane Williamson –  Kane Williamson is the rising star in the team, and he must do well in the middle order.
• Rachin Ravindra – Rachin Ravindra has done well in recent months and looks forward to doing well.

Top Picks – England

• Joe Root – Joe Root's experience and solid technique will bolster the middle order.
• Gus Atkinson – Gus Atkinson managed a five-wicket haul in the New Zealand first innings of the second Test after a long, hard toil.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Team:

Devon Conway, Ben Duckett, ⁠Kane Williamson, Joe Root(C), ⁠Ben Stokes,⁠ ⁠Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee(VC), Matt Henry

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for NZ vs ENG Dream11 Team:

Devon Conway, Ben Duckett, ⁠Kane Williamson, Joe Root, ⁠Ben Stokes,⁠ ⁠Chris Woakes(VC), Gus Atkinson, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra(C), Tim Southee, Matt Henry

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Rachin Ravindra, Joe Root

Vice-captain – Chris Woakes, Tim Southee

Wicketkeeper – Devon Conway

NZ vs ENG Probable Winners:

England has struggled with maintaining consistency. The team will be missing key players for this game, so the youngsters must step up and meet the challenge. New Zealand has a strong bowling attack and a good record against England. Based on their current performance, we believe New Zealand has a slight advantage. Considering the team combination, New Zealand is expected to win this match.

The last time both sides faced of in New Zealand Test Cricket was treated to one of its best ever games. New Zealand one by a mere one run in a game with vintage players from both sides. There are some new looks now and Tim Southee too has decided to join the likes of Trent Boult, James Anderson and Stuart Broad in retirement.

NZ vs ENG Match Details

Date: November 27th, 2024

Time:  3:30 AM IST

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

NZ vs ENG Weather Report

Overcast conditions are expected across the Test.

NZ vs ENG Pitch Report

As there is a WTC Final spot on the line the pitches are likely to be very result friendly. There will be good grass cover and the presence of cloud cover will make it really good for swing. Batting second will be a better choice with the pitch likely to flatten out as the Test progresses.

NZ vs ENG Predicted Playing XI

ENG Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Ollie Pope, Shoaib Bashir

NZ Playing XI

Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, William O Rourke, Jacob Duffy

See Also: Today’s Cricket Match Predictions – Cricket Winner

NZ vs ENG Key Players

Will Young

Will Young had possibly his best series a few weeks ago. He now looks all set to push Kane Williamson down a spot with Young making number three his own spot.

Chris Woakes

The effectiveness of Chris Woakes is often questionable overseas. New Zealand though could be a place where is he more important given the cloud cover and swing on offer. He will feel at home with conditions helping him and will be waiting for the new-ball

NZ vs ENG Match Tips

Both teams are in good form but New Zealand are likely to start favorites given their home advantage.

Match Prediction: New Zealand Will Win The Match

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the 16-member men’s Test squad for next month’s New Zealand tour. 

After the West Indies tour, where England will play a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series against the hosts, England will play a three-match Test series against the hosts New Zealand. It will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. So, it will be an important series for both teams.

The Test series in New Zealand will begin on November 28 at Christchurch. Wellington and Hamilton will host the next two Tests, starting on December 6 and 14, respectively. 

Jacob Bethell earns Test call-up

The 21-year-old Jacob Bethell has earned the Test call-up as he is replacing Jamie Smith, who is unavailable for the selection due to paternity leave. Bethell recently made his ODI and T20I debuts at home during Australia tour of England last September. 

During the Cardiff T20I against Australia, Bethell played a crucial 44 off just 24 balls, which helped the hosts to successfully reach the 194-run target.

In his first two ODIs, Bethell produced some useful all-round performances. In the five ODIs, he scored 85 runs and took four wickets.    

Bethell has played 20 first-class matches

However, talking about his Test cricket call-up, the youngster Bethell has played 20 first-class matches, where the left-handed batter has scored 738 runs with an average of 25.44. He has scored five half-centuries and waiting for his maiden first-class hundred. As a left-arm spinner, he has taken seven first-class wickets. 

England Test squad for New Zealand tour

Ben Stokes (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes

On July 14, 2019, cricket fans around the globe witnessed one of the most dramatic and unforgettable World Cup finals ever played. England clinched their first 50-over World Cup victory at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, defeating New Zealand in a nail-biting finish that ended in a super over. However, the highlight of the day, and the subject of much debate since, was the controversial ‘boundary count’ rule that ultimately decided the outcome.

Background of the 2019 ODI World Cup

Following a disappointing exit in the 2015 World Cup, England’s cricket team underwent a significant transformation under the leadership of Eoin Morgan. They revamped their approach to white-ball cricket, focusing on aggressive batting and versatile bowling. By the time the 2019 World Cup arrived, England were considered a favorite. Despite setbacks in the group stages with losses to Pakistan and Australia, they rebounded strongly to secure a place in the semi-finals and subsequently the final.

See Also: On this day: India’s first One Day International at Leeds fifty years ago

New Zealand, known for their consistent performances in ICC tournaments, entered the 2019 World Cup with high hopes. Led by the calm and collected Kane Williamson, the Kiwis showcased their resilience and tactical prowess throughout the tournament. They reached the final after a thrilling semi-final victory against India, setting the stage for a memorable showdown at Lord’s.

The Final Match: England vs. New Zealand

The atmosphere at Lord’s on July 14, 2019, was electric. Cricket fans from around the world gathered to witness what promised to be a thrilling contest between two deserving teams.

New Zealand’s innings

Batting first, New Zealand posted a total of 241/8 in their 50 overs. Contributions from Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham were vital, but it was a collective effort from the team that set a competitive target.

New Zealand faced disciplined bowling from England, with Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett making key breakthroughs. Despite the challenges, the Kiwis managed to put up a fighting total, setting the stage for a thrilling chase.

England’s Innings

Chasing a target of 242, England faced early setbacks. The loss of key wickets put them in a precarious position, and at 86/4, their World Cup dreams seemed to be slipping away. However, the resilience of Ben Stokes and the steady hand of Jos Buttler kept them in the game.

The partnership between Stokes and Buttler was crucial. They not only stabilized the innings but also kept the required run rate in check. Their combined efforts brought England within reach of the target, setting up a dramatic final over.

The dramatic final over

In the final over of the match, England needed 15 runs to win. The tension was palpable. Ben Stokes played a pivotal role, but it was a controversial moment when a throw from New Zealand’s Martin Guptill deflected off Stokes’ bat and went to the boundary, adding six crucial runs to England’s total. This moment turned the tide, leading to a tie and forcing the match into a super over.

The controversial boundary count rule

The boundary count rule, which was in place during the 2019 World Cup, stated that in the event of a tie in the super over, the team with the higher number of boundaries throughout the match would be declared the winner. This rule, relatively unknown to many fans, became the focal point of the controversy.

Both teams ended the super over with identical scores. However, England were declared the winner based on their superior boundary count (26 boundaries to New Zealand’s 17). This decision, while within the rules, sparked widespread debate and criticism.

In response to the widespread criticism, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to scrap the boundary count rule for future tournaments. The new rules ensured that tied matches in knockout stages would be resolved by repeated super overs until a clear winner emerged.

Ben Stokes: The hero of final

Ben Stokes’ performance in the final was nothing short of heroic. His unbeaten 84 in the regular innings and his crucial role in the super over cemented his place as one of England’s greatest cricketers.

Stokes’ journey from controversy to redemption added to the narrative. His resilience and determination were key factors in England’s victory, and his actions on that day are remembered as legendary.