“This is the moment: it’s Archer to Guptill. Two to win. Guptill’s going to push for two. They’ve got to go. It’s … the throw’s got to go to the keeper’s end!”
Every sport has a moment that defines a nations generation, none moreso than cricket. India had the 83 and 07 World Cup wins. Australia had their golden generation winning world cups left and right. Sri Lanka had one of the greatest underdogs story in history during the duration of the 96 World Cup. Pakistan scripted a comeback that is still talked about to this day in 92.
The summer of 2019, was Englands moment.
The scene was set, Lords, the Mecca of Cricket. 2 teams who had never won the World Cup, the favorites against the dark horses, England against New Zealand
New Zealand batted first, just like they had done against India in the Semi Finals, putting up 241/8 behind a 50 from Henry Nicholls. England needed just 242 in 300 balls to write their names in history, but what would follow was something that was incomprehensible, there’s nothing written which can ever do the rollercoaster of emotions fans, neutral or not would go through over the next few hours.
Think back to 2016. Ben Stokes was unable to defend 19 runs in the last over of the T20 World Cup, Carlos Brathwaite the hero at the time. This time however, Stokes was determined to make it right. Coming in at 71/3, and quickly seeing his captain depart soon after at when the English were reeling at 86, Stokes played an innings on par with Lara’s 153* and Lakshman’s 281, on a stage where the world stood still.
“HE’S GOT IT! England have won the World Cup by the barest of margins. By the barest of all margins. Absolute ecstasy for England, agony, agony for New Zealand”
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