The centre of the attraction during the one of the greatest One Day International cricket match, ICC Cricket World Cup-2019 final, the New Zealand opener Martin Guptil has said that it was ‘one hell of a final’.
The final between England and New Zealand at Lord’s had all the elements of an all-time classic. Eoin Morgan and Co. lifted the trophy, winning the match on boundary count after scores were levelled in the match and the subsequent Super Over as well. Losing the title by the closest of margins made the result that much more heartbreaking for the Black Caps.
One of the key moments in the game came in the 50th over of
England’s chase, when a throw from Guptill “hit the back of Stokes’ bat,
and trickled off for four.” That proved to be a pivotal moment, swinging
the momentum back England’s way in a game that underwent numerous trips and
turns.
“Up until the third ball we were right in the box seat,” Guptill
said. “And then it wasn’t to be, but that’s just the way cricket goes, as
players. It was one hell of a final.
“I guess it was the throw that I threw in from the boundary and hit the back of Stokes’ bat, and trickled off for four,” he said. “You know when that sort of thing happens, from a throw from the boundary, it tends not to go your way.”
Guptill acknowledged that the mood in the New Zealand dressing room after losing such a close encounter was ‘sombre’, but said the team was soon able to appreciate that they had produced one of the “greatest games” in the history of the sport.
“The support that we had from back home and even around here, and what you see on social media, everyone just loved the game, whether they were cricket watchers or not,” Guptill said. “Everyone was all over the game and they loved it and it was just a shame for us about the result.
“We actually had quite a good party,” he added. “I mean, obviously it was quite a sombre mood for a while but then we realised we were part of one of the greatest games in cricket history, so we got over it fairly quickly. We had a good time together, because we’re not going to be together as a group like that for a while yet.”
(Courtesy ICC)