'Do not believe it': Insane moment that robbed Kiwis of World Cup glory
Cricket fans have lit up social media after one of the cruelest twists of fate almost certainly denied New Zealand a World Cup triumph.
The Kiwis looked headed for a dramatic win against England in the final at Lord's, with the hosts requiring nine runs off the final three balls for victory.
The Black Caps appeared to restrict Ben Stokes to just a single as the allrounder smashed one away through to the mid wicket boundary.
Knowing it was up to him to stay on strike, Stokes came back for a suicidal second run, forced to dive full stretch as the throw came in from the boundary.
However, as Stokes threw his bat out to make his ground, the ball came cannoning off his willow and raced away to the boundary for another four runs.
It meant the English only needed three runs off the final two balls, allowing them to force the Super Over that led to victory.
Fans on social media erupted after witnessing New Zealand’s rotten misfortune.
Be proud, New Zealand. You didn't lose the match. You didn't even lose the super over. You lost by a technicality! By the thinnest of margins, you were actually the better side but unlucky. That freak overthrow off Stokes' bat! #CWC19Final
— Sougata Som (@Shougoto) July 14, 2019
NZ always known for their fairplay today fell short of lifting WC coz of an unfair overthrow rule.. Match tied.. Super Over tied.. Victorious Eng Bravehearts NZ.. #CWC19Final #NZvENG #starsportsIndia #BlackCaps
— Anand Gore (@AnandGore20) July 14, 2019
Good game of Cricket.. but a little unfair rules... First that overthrow...even if I digest it then the boundary count... It's rediculous , boundaries are batsmen effort while wicket taken is whole team's by saving runs, taking catches , run-outs etc etc...#NZvsENG #CWC19Final
— SHANUJ GARG (@shanuj_garg) July 14, 2019
What a world Cup final... Well played Black Caps!!!! Extra overthrow 4 runs pull world Cup away from you... All credits goes to Ben stock.. What a player... #CWC19Final
— Naresh chauhan (@ChauNaresh) July 14, 2019
That wasn't a overthrow run at all, rules of this game sucks. #CWC19Final
— Vishal Pradhan (@comeonVishal) July 14, 2019
England really lucky with the 4 overthrow. New zealand deserved to win! But yeah, England invented the gane, gotta live with it. #CWC19Final
— rahil (@rahil056) July 14, 2019
Not even a single appeal against the overthrow runs. Kiwis you are a true ambassador of the game.❤️❤️#CWC19Final #EnglandvsNewzealand @BLACKCAPS @ICC
— Milind Dougall (@milinddougall) July 14, 2019
Kane Williamson - best captain in #CWC19
Well deserved Man of the series award. NZ definitely punched above their weight.
This qoute on the overthrow showcases the gentleman he is 'I don't wish to nitpick, just hope it never happens in such moments again' #ENGvNZ #CWC19Final pic.twitter.com/VWYAZJUslm— Aditya (@forwardshortleg) July 14, 2019
Stokes started England's march to World Cup glory with a catch to remember and ended their historic campaign weeping tears of joy as victory against New Zealand completed a personal tale of redemption.
The all-rounder was voted man-of-the-match after hitting an unbeaten 84 in a thrilling England run chase that ended with the match tied after Eoin Morgan's team finished on 241 all out in reply to New Zealand's 241-8.
The 28-year-old's heroics set up a rare Super Over that saw Stokes and Jos Buttler score 15 runs from six extra balls off New Zealand's Trent Boult.
When England held New Zealand to 15 from Jofra Archer's own Super Over, it was the hosts who took the trophy because they hit more boundaries in the match, including several from Stokes.
The incredible climax at Lord's gave England their first World Cup and ensured Stokes's lasting legacy will be his heroics in the final instead of the 2017 street brawl that threatened to ruin his career.
Not surprisingly, Stokes was overcome with emotion and he wept openly during the jubilant on-field celebrations.
"I'm pretty lost for words. All that hard work for four years and now to be stood here as champions of the world, it's an amazing feeling," Stokes said.
"There was no chance I wasn't going to be there at the end. It's moments like that you live for as a professional cricketer.
"It's incredible, I hope we have inspired people to want to do this in the future."
"Ben Stokes, he's a great player. He stepped up when his team needed him. That is the mark of greatness," former England captain Michael Vaughan said on BBC radio.
Sweet redemption for Stokes
Stokes missed the 2017/18 Ashes series in Australia following a well-documented incident in Bristol -- an ugly scene outside a nightclub which led to a charge of affray, over which he was found not guilty.
But he was welcomed back with warm, unconditional support from his team-mates and has repaid that faith in spades during this unforgettable World Cup campaign.
"Without the lads in the ODI (one-day international) team and the Test team and the support from my family -- that's all gone now," said Stokes, who made his England ODI debut in 2011.
"This is what we aspire to be. I don't think there will ever be a better game in cricket than that."
New Zealand-born Stokes and the World Cup have been a perfect match over the past six weeks.
From the moment he leapt backwards and thrust a hand over his head to take a stunning catch to dismiss Andile Phehlukwayo in England's tournament-opening win over South Africa, the tournament has provided Stokes with a chance to change his story.
He scored 82 not out and 89 when all about him were losing their heads in group-stage defeats against Sri Lanka and Australia that threatened England's progress to the semi-finals.
In a must-win clash against India, Stokes delivered again with 79, helping to launch England on a three-match winning run that took them to the final.
With the situation growing more tense by the minute in England's run chase against New Zealand's fired-up pace attack on Sunday, it was Stokes who came to the rescue.
Playing with poise and panache, he ensured England made it to the Super Over despite needing 14 off the final over to tie the regulation match.
With agencies