England vs New Zealand World Cup 2019

Never before in the history of a World Cup game, let alone a final, had two teams remained separated by such barest of margins, as was England from New Zealand when the Britishers lifted the 2019 ODI World Cup. It would have, however, been unfair to expect differently from two sides who had never won the ODI World Cup in 44 long years.

England had last reached an ODI World Cup final in 1992 when they would dramatically lose to Pakistan in the final. Since then, their best finish at the quadrennial event has been the quarter-finals (in 1996 and 2011).

On the other hand, New Zealand have come agonizingly close to lifting a World Cup title on many occasions. Since its inaugural edition in 1975, the Kiwis had reached six semi-finals (‘75, ‘79, ‘92, ‘99, ‘07 and ‘11) and one final (2015) before they qualified for the grand finale again in the 2019 edition. But little did they know that they could miss out on the coveted cricketing silverware by an even finer margin.    

England were definitely the favourites for the trophy in 2019. Apart from them hosting the World Cup in familiar conditions, a reinvigorated English side under Eoin Morgan’s captaincy and methods was on a rampaging run in white-ball cricket.

England’s uber-offensive approach saw them frequently crossing the 400-run tally in ODIs, a whopping five times between 2015 and 2019. Not only that but they would also come to the tournament at the back of a seven-series unbeaten streak, in which they had overcome Australia, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the previous two years.

New Zealand were blowing hot and cold coming to the World Cup. They had lost a few ODI series against India and England while drawing another with Pakistan. However, in captain Kane Williamson, the Kiwis had a batsman who was in the form of his life. Williamson would eventually win Man of the Series at the 2019 WC with 578 runs and two wickets to his name.

England vs New Zealand 2019 World Cup

Despite England’s domineering form in the 50-over format before coming to the World Cup, the road to the final wasn’t a smooth sail. Having started their campaign with a convincing 104-run victory over South Africa in the opening league game, Morgan’s men slumped to a 14-run defeat against Pakistan in the very next match.

They would bounce back with three consecutive victories against Bangladesh, West Indies and Afghanistan, respectively, before defending champions Australia proved to be a steep battle for the hosts as they lost again, by a margin of 64 runs this time. However, England would beat New Zealand to set up a semi-final against Australia and settle scores with a thumping 8-wicket win and romp into the final. 

Interestingly, New Zealand would also lose to Australia and Pakistan in their league-stage games, before a loss to England almost cost them a semi-final qualification. However, the Kiwis would leapfrog Pakistan to the number four position owing to a better strike rate to set up a semi-final with league leaders India.

While hosts England’s victory over defending champions Australia was still fathomable to some, given Morgan’s shrewd captaincy and English players’ promising individual performances, New Zealand’s win over India came as a shock to many.

The Men in Blue had lost just one match in the run-up to the semis with the incredible trio of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli jointly scoring 1455 runs prior to the knockout match. Not only that, but opener Rohit Sharma had created a record with five centuries - the most in a single World Cup.

Against New Zealand, however, the trio would return to the pavilion after scoring one run apiece, leaving the lower order in a tricky situation. India would eventually fall 18 runs short.

England vs New Zealand World Cup 2019 Scorecard

Opting to bat first, New Zealand started with a familiar optimism that was synonymous with them throughout the 2019 World Cup. After the early departure of Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls and Williamson forged a 74-run stand to steady the ship. However, Liam Plunkett’s regular exploits meant that the Kiwis couldn’t prepare for a late onslaught since Williamson’s departure in the 23rd over.

Tom Latham’s crucial knock of 47 coming down the order did provide a late boost to their tally, but little help from James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme meant New Zealand could only set a less-than-competitive target of 242.

Lord’s bowling-friendly track troubled England as well, and before the hosts could settle, they were already reduced to 86/4. It was the timely intervention of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler that saved England the blushes in front of the home crowd. But, just when the duo’s 110-run partnership looked to take the outcome beyond doubt, Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham struck in quick succession to bring parity.

England were 227/8 with 15 needed off the last over and although the reliable Stokes was still at the crease, he had to protect Adil Rashid and Mark Wood while chasing those runs. In one of the most dramatic last overs in World Cup history, Trent Boult would manage two dots before getting hammered for two consecutive sixes in his first four balls.

With three needed off the last two balls and two wickets in hand, Stokes decided to go for short runs. It backfired massively as both Rashid and Wood would get run out in the process, with England managing a single each in those deliveries.

The match was a tie and World Cup’s first super-over awaited everyone at the Lord’s.