Cricket World Cup 2019 final: Ben Stokes ‘sorry’ for fluke boundary

Ben Stokes has spoken out about the controversial finish to a dramatic final against the Kiwis.

Ben Stokes after an attempted run out resulted in four overthrows. Picture: Getty Images

Ben Stokes described England’s thrilling World Cup win as the best game in the history of cricket after completing an extraordinary tale of personal redemption.

The all-rounder was named man of the match for his unbeaten 84, as well as scoring eight runs in the decisive Super Over, to establish himself as a national hero less than a year after being cleared of affray in court after a late-night brawl in Bristol.

Stokes was surprisingly left out of England’s squad on the eve of the previous World Cup in Australia and New Zealand four years ago so Sunday’s heroics were the culmination of a remarkable cricketing, as well as personal, journey, not least as he was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. The 28-year-old was immediately installed as favourite for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, which has not been claimed by a cricketer since Andrew Flintoff for his starring role in England’s Ashes triumph in 2005.

“That was the best game of cricket you’ll ever see,” Stokes said. “I’m pretty lost for words. All the hard work over four years, to get here and be champions of the world it’s an amazing feeling. I’m pretty done. It feels pretty good. So much hard work has gone in, this is what we aspire to be.

“I don’t think there will ever be a better game in cricket than that. It’s fantastic. Without the lads in the ODI team and the Test team and the support from my family — that’s all gone now.”

Stokes apologised to all New Zealand’s players, particularly captain Kane Williamson, after the ball deflected off his bat for four overthrows in the final over of England’s run chase, a freak event that put them back into the contest, leaving them needing three from the last two balls.

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With England scrambling two singles, the match ended in a tie, with Stokes immediately returning to the crease for the Super Over, although he joked that he did not volunteer to bowl it after being hit for four sixes by Carlos Brathwaite in the final over of the World Twenty20 final defeat by West Indies three years ago.

Stokes at the end of the England innings. Picture: AP

“I said to Kane Williamson I’ll be apologising for that for the rest of my life,” Stokes said. “I have apologised countless times for that fluke, it’s not how you want to get them. Playing against New Zealand is always a great event, they are a seriously good team and really good lads. There was no chance I wasn’t going to bat in that Super Over but I definitely wasn’t going to bowl anyway after last time.”

Jofra Archer was given the Super Over and recovered from a first-ball wide to defend the 15 runs scored by England, with Eoin Morgan’s side winning by virtue of the second tie-break of an incredible day, having hit more boundaries over the course of their 51 overs. The Barbados-born fast bowler has also been on a remarkable journey as he only qualified to play for England in March after the ECB changed their eligibility rules with an eye on the World Cup. He made his debut against Ireland in May.

“I’m pretty sure I was going to bowl it so I just had a double check,” Archer said. “My heart is still racing. This is the biggest thing. It’s one of the only tournaments I’ve ever won in my life. The boys started so well and it would have been really disappointing if we didn’t win. I’m lucky this man Stokes was calming me down before I bowled.

“The last time I was in a final it didn’t go my way so that was in my mind. Stokesy came over and told me, win or lose, today will not define me as a player. The boys did so well to give us 15, I am so grateful they gave us the opportunity to compete.”

Morgan hailed Stokes’s mental strength throughout a turbulent few years. “To come through what he has is extraordinary,” the captain said. “It’s almost superhuman. He’s carried the team with Jos. To bat the way he did was incredible. Everyone watching at home will hopefully try to be the next Ben Stokes.

“A lot of careers would have been ended by what happened in Calcutta [in 2016]. He’s stood up and been counted a number of times for us. He’s just an incredible cricketer.”

Morgan declined to give any indication as to whether he will retire, although pointed out he may struggle to justify his place in the team at the next World Cup, when he will be 36.

“I’ll let the dust settle and celebrate as hard as we can,” he added.

The Times