England versus New Zealand ICC Cricket World Cup Final: England Crowned Champions!

Over a month and a half of cricket in England and Wales and it comes down to this one match today. Hosts England take on New Zealand at The Lord’s for a shot at a historic first World Cup title.The last time the two teams met in this tournament, it was a group stage match as the hosts broke a 27-year-old record to beat the Kiwis at the showpiece event.While New Zealand beat favorites India to seal the final spot, England thrashed arch-rivals Australia by eight wickets to set up the final date.Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has predicted that Eoin Morgan's men will find it rather easy against the Black Caps today."You've made it to the home of cricket, herringboneandsui...! I'm thinking an easy win for England," tweeted Pietersen before the start of the match.Earlier, cricketer-turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar also predicted England's win in the finals. "If you believe in destiny, then its New Zealand; want to stick to logic -- Then it's England," tweeted Manjrekar.On the even of the final, England captain Eoin Morgan predicted a tight, low-scoring match.Speaking from experience, as he plays his county cricket for Middlesex at Lord's, Morgan said: "It isn't ever a high-scoring ground — so I'd say tomorrow isn't going to be a high-scoring game. I think it will be a bit of a battle."New Zealand is one of only two teams — along with Afghanistan — to have failed to score at least 300 in any match this tournament but has proved adept at defending or chasing small totals.The Kiwis beat India in the semifinal in Manchester after posting 239 batting first.There’s been rain overnight in London and while it won’t stop the match from being played, the toss has been delayed by 15 minutes.Instead of 2:30pm IST it will now take place at 2:45pm IST.Kane Williamson has called it right and he’s elected to bat first against England at The Lord’s. They’re playing an unchanged XI.“Not at all” is Eoin Morgan’s answer when he’s asked if he is disappointed about losing the toss. The hosts are also playing an unchanged team.New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.England: Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (captain), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.Martin Guptill once again coming out to bat at the top with Henry Nicholls for company. Lot’s of concern regarding the stalwart’s form in this World Cup but he’s managed to see off the first two overs.Not without a scare though. Fifth ball of the second over, bowled by Jofra Archer, looks good to the English as they all go up in appeal for an lbw. Umpire Erasmus wont budge and they don’t ask for a review. Good decision that as it turns out, the ball deflected off Guptill’s thigh on it’s way to Buttler.England 8/0 in 2 oversJust the third over of the match and there’s another big wicket call. Henry Nicholls is given out lbw by Kumar Dharamasena. The opener consults Guptill for a while before asking for a DRS.Replays show the ball was headed right above the bails. Nicholls stays back.Whats a good decision!Second ball of the 7th over and it’s Chris Woakes’ delivery that beats Guptill’s bat on it’s way to his pads. The umpire raises his finger and after a long wait, Guptill asks for a DRS review.Replays show it was hitting mid-stump and there’s no change of decision here. Guptil’s World Cup ends with a 19.New Zealand 29/1 in 6.2 oversKane Williamson is out in the middle trying to (once again) rescue New Zealand’s innings after an early wicket at this World Cup.Nicolls has made 10 off 30 while the skipper has added 1 in the 12 balls he’s faced.New Zealand 33/1 in 10 overs.Things have slowed down a lot after Guptill’s wicket and as Eoin Morgan said in his pre-match PC, the final doesn't look like it’s going to be a high-scoring match.34 runs have been added by the second wicket partnership of Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls as the Kiwis get 63 on the board in their first 15 overs.No risks, some rewards and more importantly, no wickets.The last 14 overs since the Guptill wicket have been slow with the runs but Kane Williamson is ensuring he frustrates the English by allowing no breakthroughs and adding runs at regular intervals.England have got the biggest of breakthroughs. New Zealand’s highest-scorer at this World Cup, Kane Williamson, has been caught behind on 30.Everyone went up in appeal but the umpire didn't budge. Eoin Morgan was quick to decide to ask for the DRS review and replays showed the ball did make contract with the bat, even though a slight one.Kane has to walk.NZ are 103/2 in 22.4 oversHe’s seen two of his partners be sent back but Henry Nicholls has stuck his ground and for a reward, he’s reached his half-century.New Zealand 110/2 in 25.1 oversCelebrated his half century in the previous over but Henry Nicholls has been sent packing by Liam Plunkett.The ball catches an inside edge and drags onto the stumps at the back. Nicholls departs for 55, his highest score of the tournament and his ninth half-century in 43 innings.England have a third wicket. Plunkett has his second.New Zealand 118/3 after 27 oversBoth new batsmen at the crease after Plunkett removed Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls so there’s pressure on Ross Taylor and Tom Latham to ensure they see a few overs without the game tilting too much in favor of England. For that, they need to keep their wickets safe, very safe.Their partnership is worth 12 off 25 balls now but there’s a lot many overs left in the innings.New Zealand 130/3 in 31 oversMark Wood with the breakthrough!First ball of the 34th over and the ball crashed onto Ross Taylor’s left pad. The umpire raises his finger and with no appeals left for New Zealand, Ross Taylor is walking on 15.NZ 141/4 in 33.1 oversEngland have their 5th wicket.After threatening to pick up the run rate, James Neesham’s been caught by Joe Root on 19.“Jimmy Neesham no, no, no. This is exactly what Morgan was looking for - a mistake,” says Michael Clarke in commentary as NZ hit the business end of their innings with most of their top batsmen back in the hut.NZ: 173/5 in 39 overs39 runs have been added by de Grandhomme and Latham.Not many risks taken as New Zealand cross the 200 mark with some overs in hand. Will they now switch gears?New Zealand have lost their 6th wicket. Colin de Grandhomme was hit on the head by a Jofra Archer delivery earlier in the innings and since then has not really looked in good touch.He’s caught on 16 by James Vince off a Chris Woakes delivery.Tom Latham was the lone player holding fort on one side of the pitch since Henry Nicholl’s wicket but with just two more overs left, he went looking for some big runs.After a boundary, his search has ended - in the hands of James Vince.Chris Woakes with the wicket. Latham out on 47.NZ 232/7 in 48.3 oversJofra Archer is given the final over and Matt Henry’s brief is pretty clear - try to hit them all.He’s caught swinging his bat at every delivery before Archer cleans out his stumps off the third delivery.22 runs for 1 wicket is Jofra Archer’s returns from his last 5 overs as he concedes just 3 runs in the final over of New Zealand’s innings.That’s it then. England need 242 to win their first-ever World Cup trophy.English openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow have started the chase very strongly. The duo has already hit 4 fours. But that doesn’t mean the Kiwi bowlers are struggling. Trent Boult and Matt Henry have created many chances in the first few overs. In fact, Roy survived a big shout off first ball. After the on-field umpire said not out, DRS also found it not out.England 24/0 in 5 OversThe start New Zealand wanted! Jason Roy departs for 17. Matt Henry again successful in giving his side early breakthrough!Nice and full delivery towards off stump. Roy forced to push at the ball. It takes an edge and and Latham finishes a low catch.England 28/1 in 5.4 OversAfter Roy’s wicket, Root and Bairstow are looking to consolidate without taking any risks. Henry and Grandhomme are suffocating the English pair. But Root and Bairstow are picking up the odd boundary.England 56/1 in 15 OversThis wicket was coming! Root never looked comfortable as he lost his patience finally. Root edges de Grandhomme and a routine catch behind the stumps for Latham. A good length delivery that swung way outside off. Root played a drive away from the body before the ball goes to the keeper.England 59/2 in 16.3 OversBairstow inside-edges onto his stumps off Ferguson. It was a back of the length delivery which was close to the stumps.Looks like New Zealand are back in the game. English batsmen really finding it difficult to score.England 71/3 in 19.3 OversMorgan chases one wide outside the off stump from Jimmy Neesham and Lockie Ferguson takes an absolute stunner at deep point.New Zealand now have a serious chance.England 93/4 in 25 Overs.A four down the ground from Ben Stokes helps England bring up their 100. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes at the wicket for England at the moment.Buttler, Stokes at the crease. The duo playing the waiting game. Wickets will be the key here as New Zealand will be looking to break the partnership. Boult and Santner bowling for New Zealand.England 115/4 in 30 Overs.The Stokes-Buttler duo is helping England get close to the target. In the process, they add a 50-run stand keeping their team in the game.England 141/4 in 35 Overs.Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler stand moves to 70 as England bring up 150. The duo showing their experience just when their team needed. NZ keen on breaking the partnership.England 156/4 in 38 Overs.Finally the game has come down to the last 10 overs for England. They need 72 are are well placed to get chase down the score with Buttler and Stokes at the wicket.Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler score 50 each and also add a 100-run stand. New Zealand, meanwhile are giving it their best in the final stages of the game.England lose the key wicket of Jos Buttler after he just got to his fifty. Lockie Ferguson accounted for Buttler and soon after Woakes as England have lost two quick wickets. An outside chance for the Kiwis.England 208/6 in 47 Overs.Neesham hits Archer for a six over deep cover.England crowned champions on the basis of more number of boundaries than New Zealand in the match after the Super over also ended in a tie.(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

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