Cricket World Cup final umpire admits 'error'
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The umpire who awarded England six runs from a freak overthrow in the last over of the World Cup final has admitted he made an "error" and should have given one run fewer, a report said on Sunday.
Read: England win their first-ever World Cup after beating New Zealand in nerve-wracking super over
A throw to the stumps deflected off the bat of a diving Ben Stokes as he tried to complete a second run and raced to the boundary, with Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena awarding six.
Three balls later the scores at 50 overs were tied as England reached 241 all out replying to New Zealand's 241-8.
It took the nail-biting final to a Super Over which again was tied but England lifted the trophy by virtue of having scored more boundaries Critics, including former leading umpire Simon Taufel, said England should have been awarded five runs, not six, as the batsmen had not crossed for the second run at the moment the ball was thrown.
Former Sri Lankan Test player Dharmasena told the Sunday Times he did not have the benefit of television replays which showed the batsmen had not crossed.
"I agree that there was an error of judgement when I see it on TV replays now," Dharmasena, who was umpiring the final with South Africa's Marais Erasmus, told the local Sunday Times.
"But we did not have the luxury of TV replays at the ground and I do not regret the decision I made."
Dharmasena said he signalled six after consulting the other match officials.
"So, I did consult the leg umpire (Erasmus) through the communication system which is heard by all other umpires and the match referee," he told the newspaper.
"While they cannot check TV replays, they all confirmed that the batsmen have completed the second run. This is when I made my decision."
Taufel had told Fox Sports Australia the umpires made a "clear mistake" as the batsmen had not crossed for their second run.
But the Australian also defended the match umpires, who he said had to make a complicated judgement, and said it would be "unfair" to say the decision altered the outcome of the tournament as it was impossible to now what would have happened in the final balls had five been awarded.
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Comments (91) Closed
Jul 21, 2019 01:47pm
Don't know why Dharmasena was standing in World Cup finals diapite so many mistakes he committed in the past and in this world. Why ICC keep on promoting him is beyond thinking. ICC is at fault ruining the world Cup final.
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Jul 21, 2019 01:51pm
According to the practiced convention, 6 runs is correct.
Though, deflection of the bad is a separate controversy and only Kiwis have the heart to accept such travesty.
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Jul 21, 2019 01:54pm
Based on empire's admission that he misjudged and gave six runs to England during the final match, I think ICC should take action and declare that the 2019 ODI cricket trophy be shared with New Zealand. Undoubtedly, both teams played well and deserve to be winners - share the win and trophy.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:00pm
NZ didnt even deserve to win. Were beaten by Pak, Aus, Eng. Almost lost to Wi. Just one victory over a big team India. Eng were comparatively better in the tournament.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:02pm
Aleena Dar would have done better :)
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Jul 21, 2019 02:02pm
How is Dharmasena, the 4th umpire and match referee not able to catch or consider this during the moment... someone needed a calm head!
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Jul 21, 2019 02:07pm
This umpire has made so many mistakes during the tournament and still he managed to officiate final? And now he made the final controversial as well? Who is going to take the responsibility of all this?
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Jul 21, 2019 02:08pm
Too little, too late.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:10pm
"Former Sri Lankan Test player Dharmasena told the Sunday Times he did not have the benefit of television replays which showed the batsmen had not crossed."
I'm sorry, I'm normally a fan of Dharmasena, but this is a little hard to swallow. The whole world was watching television replays of the incident while the umpires were conferring - are we really supposed to believe they weren't privy to that same information?
In the end, England deserved the trophy just as much as the Kiwis, but it's a shame it had to end the way it did.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:10pm
if cricket is to be really called a gentlemen's game.......then UK cricket team should by itself offer New Zealand a shared trophy for half term...........this is the least they should do...............otherwise on merit NZ won the final and the cup.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:15pm
Guptil's throw was reason for India losing semi final. Same Guptil's throw was reason for NZ losing final. Thank you Almighty to teach him a lesson.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:15pm
It was a fantastic match between England and Newzealand cricket teams and if the empire is now admitting his mistake which was a joint mistake of all umpires, as the umpire consulted with rest of the umpires and finally gave six runs to England cricket team should be declared as "Tied Match".
Under these circumstances the ICC should consider as what could be the best decision ICC can make.
As a cricket lover had I been in the ICC I would have given my decision that from the total period of retaining the ICC World Cup 2019 Trophy, England should retain the Trphy for half of the period and for remaining half of the period the Trophy should be handed over to Newzealand Cricket Team, as an equal winner of ICC World Cup 2019.
If this is not done, no cricket team playing future ICC World Cup 2020 will feel comfortable as no one will be sure as what will be the outcome of final match though the chances of having "Tied Match" again is very bleak as it happens once in a while and not always.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:18pm
Shame on this umpire. Still he insists that he stands by his decision after admitting his costly error. Clearly he lacked the intelligence to handle that, he must and should have asked for the review by third empire to confirm the result. His 'error' caused a loss in the final match of world cup for NZ.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:19pm
He could have referred to third umpire.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:20pm
Icc should allow to share trophy
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Jul 21, 2019 02:21pm
Icc should allow trophy to be shared
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Jul 21, 2019 02:29pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, agree
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Jul 21, 2019 02:29pm
This is ridiculous - their should be consequences for such an admission - it was a World Cup final not a club cricket game...
Dharmasena has to go and safeguards in place to ensure this never happens again
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Jul 21, 2019 02:30pm
Dear Sir: Umpire is for the Empire!!!
Vijay
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Jul 21, 2019 02:31pm
The refree should have referred to TV replays. In todays age when everything is referred to 3rd umpire such behaviour in WC final is ridiculous.
He should be banned from umpiring.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:41pm
I think the trophy should now be given to Black Caps.
An other thing I would suggest that there should be more super overs if the match could not be decided in the the first super over.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:43pm
It is better to stop prolonging end of the final. Touch of bat induced run away boundary makes it much worse.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:55pm
He was in no hurry. He could have consulted the other umpire and involved third umpire. Why take decision on haste? You failed Mr. Dharmasena. You robbed New Zealand of their World Cup. This is a fact.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:55pm
Now its too late, the only honorable conscientious thing he can do now, is to quite umpiring international matches.
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Jul 21, 2019 02:56pm
Now the game is over. It is useless now to comment on.
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Jul 21, 2019 03:00pm
Aleem Dar is the best umpire but due to opposition from Indian lobby he has been kept out of semi-final and finals of both word cup 2015 and 2019. I would have been happier if this incompetent Dharmasena had hurt Indian or English team by his mistakes.
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Jul 21, 2019 03:10pm
Just an other Indian !!!
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Jul 21, 2019 03:10pm
The ICC should just outrightly admit that it was all part of the plan to ensure England win the cup. Big 3 reigns supreme as ICC now only sells the cup.
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Jul 21, 2019 03:11pm
All is well that ends well. This result has given NZ much more respect and appreciation for highly appreciative sports-manly behavior than winning the match and the Cup.
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Jul 21, 2019 03:21pm
So what will it benefit now ?
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Jul 21, 2019 03:25pm
Whether, England or New Zealand, one thing is sure that such a big, interesting and glorious moment is ended with controversial and shameful errors. match was really an interesting fight but the fight ensued now is really shameful. However, as a suggestion to ICC, when all the 45 matches were held in Robin round scheme, then what was the need of semi finals and Final. Why wouldn't this be held like any team getting the highest point be the winner of the trophy and in case of tie in points, run rate would have worked and even if tie in that situation, then, their match would have been held.Lastly, another way, These all four teams in the end, would have played three matches against one another to get the highest point.
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Jul 21, 2019 03:43pm
If this is happen against india than I am 100 % sure carrier of dharm sena will be finished. Just like Steve baknar in Sydney test..
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Jul 21, 2019 04:16pm
ICC should take action against Dharmasina, there was a 3rd Umpire he should have taken assistance from the 3rd umpire. He deprived New Zealand to be the winner of the WC cricket 2019.
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Jul 21, 2019 04:54pm
What is point of accepting mistake now when the damage is permanent..... history will just remember that England were champion....
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Jul 21, 2019 04:59pm
One week too late to admit error. It cost NZ the world cup.
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Jul 21, 2019 05:04pm
England will always remember how they won this World Cup by umpire fault.
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Jul 21, 2019 05:07pm
@Pak Khan, sorry that is very naive argument...NZ was a better team on the given day....It was share bad decision by umpires which they had to accept gracefully....
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Jul 21, 2019 05:39pm
To keep cricket as gentlemen's sport, lCC should also admit its responsibilities. Should call its emengency meeting and award trophy jointly for 2 years each to both finalists.
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Jul 21, 2019 06:15pm
An honest mistake but good England won.
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Jul 21, 2019 06:27pm
On admitting the error by umpire the ICC should immediately reverse the decision and declare NZ as winner and warned umpire why he did not refer the third umpire on such important moment.
If ICC can warned player and take action against them than giving relief to umpire create doubts on double standard of ICC.
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Jul 21, 2019 06:51pm
This is just a lame excuse and whole ICC panel afficiating the match are to be blamed. Umpires regularly check every obvious run out appeals to make sure, so why didn't they check in this case.
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Jul 21, 2019 06:55pm
The umpire would have regretted the decision if England had lost because of the error . Since New Zealand is an underdog/ less influential he will not be affected. If any of the big three of cricket world had lost because of that error the umpire would not have been be able to stand again in a final of any format of cricket World Cup .
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Jul 21, 2019 06:57pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, I agree
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Jul 21, 2019 07:06pm
And he is still umpire.
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Jul 21, 2019 07:18pm
@Pak Khan,
You are wrong. New Zealand much better player than England on final. No doubt about it. England almost lose the cricket.
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Jul 21, 2019 07:43pm
@Hadi, according to ICC rules, 6 runs is incorrect.
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Jul 21, 2019 07:45pm
So, umpiring has given the reward of winning World Cup. What first time winner has! Brilliant game for Cricket lovers!!
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Jul 21, 2019 07:46pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, Decisions made by on- field umpire can only br reversed by other on-field umpire. Playing ream can only ask for a review which NZ didn't do as they don't have review left.
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Jul 21, 2019 08:24pm
What a bizarre world cup.....
....world cup gifted to England....
Played well though.....
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Jul 21, 2019 08:28pm
@Pak Khan, You are comparing group stage games to that of semis and final. New zealand was on top of table in start winning 5 matches and were already through semis, to take remaining group games seriously.
Semis and final is were they played their true potential in do or die knockout. And they won.
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Jul 21, 2019 08:43pm
@Alih, This Dharmasena was not mentally happy on Indian dream shattered by NZ to go to final . So he was happy for England to get the trophy .
By admitting his mistake , he has made sure for his retirement with immediate effect !
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Jul 21, 2019 08:48pm
The tournament is over. The trophy has already been given to England. It is like beating a dead horse..
It's not like they are going to have a rematch or give another one to NZ.
Let's move on...whether NZ deserve it or not the decision as already made.
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Jul 21, 2019 09:01pm
The world cup ended in a farce. Even if it was 6 runs, it's fool Hardy to award England by virtue of more boundaries
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Jul 21, 2019 09:04pm
The world cup should be re-announced as a shared between Kiwis and UK.
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Jul 21, 2019 09:06pm
Worst match in terms of Umpiring standards! One wonders why Aleem Dar, an umpire of high caliber and repute, was kept out of such important match!
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Jul 21, 2019 09:19pm
English team will claim that if he had given 5 runs then Ben Stroke would have gone for three, not two runs from the final ball so the result would be same.....:) What if wont work now.
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Jul 21, 2019 10:50pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, Term is Umpire not Empire
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Jul 21, 2019 10:53pm
That's not good. For cricket
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Jul 21, 2019 10:53pm
Ok
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Jul 21, 2019 11:03pm
@Pak Khan, by this criteria England was beaten by Pakistan as well
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Jul 22, 2019 12:01am
@Alih, By design Aleem Dar was kept out!
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Jul 22, 2019 12:37am
Umpire including India wanted England to win world cup. That is why India lost to England.
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Jul 22, 2019 12:39am
And that cost New Zeland a world cup.
Shame on ICC.
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Jul 22, 2019 01:01am
He is the most over-rated umpire in the panel. How he managed to win umpire of the year is beyond logic. Regardless of the result, dharmasena should not have been there. A liability, he is
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Jul 22, 2019 01:02am
So the final has been to contravercial, there should be rematch
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Jul 22, 2019 01:06am
It was an exciting game. Lets leave it at that.
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Jul 22, 2019 01:34am
Why did the third umpire not participate in this decision seeing that he had the benefit of television replays? Admitting an error now defeats the purpose. Maybe they were questioned by New Zealand cricket management after the match and were under pressure to review the decision per the rules of ICC cricket. Anyways, I think what was meant to be the outcome happened and England would have won whatever the scenario would have been. Congratulation to both teams!! Overall, Cricket Won and a New World Cup Cricket Champion emerged.
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Jul 22, 2019 01:44am
if error is made give the cup to Newzeland
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Jul 22, 2019 02:07am
So convenient. It's a world cup trophy and you realize later on that you gave it it to the wrong team by mistake.
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Jul 22, 2019 05:07am
Your error of judgement cost Kiwis theirs first ever World Cup.
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Jul 22, 2019 05:23am
This Empire needs to be sacked . This has costed NZ getting the cup.
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Jul 22, 2019 05:31am
It is just a game after all, we people make it a matter of life and death.
Move on
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Jul 22, 2019 05:37am
@Pak Khan, the final isnt about how you qualified, it is just one game. Both teams played a great game.
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Jul 22, 2019 05:40am
Firstly who decide a World Cup match by Boundarie?...2nd if even the Superover is a tie this match trophy should be a shared or clearly it will reduce the Cricket World Cup popularity.
Even English were surprised when they were selected as the first every world cup champs
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Jul 22, 2019 05:45am
Very close game and really never seen before situation.
It’s easy to blame someone for the last bit of fiasco.
Umpire saying I didn’t have luxury of replays is a mystery since they could review any play any time.
At the same time blaming umpire is unfair. There was too much drama going on and too many never before seen situations.
Remember the World Cup final between Sri Lanka and Australia. It was literally played in dark and then also lot of controversy and confusion.
End of the day - two great teams played till the last drop of their sweat. They both came out to be winners in every sports fan’s mind.
Unfortunately record will show England as the winner.
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Jul 22, 2019 05:48am
Umpires in this world cup made too many mistakes.
The third umpire should be umpiring the two on field umpires.
Umpire's CALL should not be there, if ball hitting wicket then it should be out, regardless what the umpire called
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Jul 22, 2019 06:08am
@Hadi, Sorry my dear unless & until the run is not completed that run will not be counted so when ball touch the bat that run was not completed so it will be 5 runs & not 6.
The umpire also admitted his mistake so ICC should immediately reverse his decision & award cup to NZ.
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Jul 22, 2019 06:26am
Sir, you are making many mistakes. You had the facility of third umpire why did you not avail it. You probably changed the history.
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Jul 22, 2019 07:03am
Dharmasena should never have been umpiring the final. It was obvious from the SF game that he can be put under pressure by loud appealing.
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Jul 22, 2019 09:42am
Why ICC is appointing such umpires whose standard are not upto mark especially in the final. Before appointment they should be trained properly so that controversially do not arise.
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Jul 22, 2019 09:42am
A rematch is mandatory or else England should return the trophy back to ICC.
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Jul 22, 2019 09:43am
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, Agree.
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Jul 22, 2019 09:53am
New Zealand must approach ICJ & sue ICC to claim the WC-2019.
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Jul 22, 2019 12:38pm
Fully agree with the first post from Shan, I was confounded when I saw Drarmasena had the WC final gig and my judgement was well based; his howler was simply an extension of the many, many mistakes he has made over the years.
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Jul 22, 2019 03:58pm
There should be distinction between overthrow and obstruction of the field! NZ are clearly deprived of World Cup as one of Big three had to win the competition.
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Jul 22, 2019 04:13pm
If he has admitted error than ICC is duty bound that in all fairness New zeland be declared as winner or joint winner.
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Jul 22, 2019 05:46pm
It is not Stokes' fault that the umpires got it wrong.
And if the requirement was 2 or more runs off the final delivery, Stokes would then be looking to hit a boundary rather than just taking a single to at least tie the game. So we can only guess as to what might have happened.
Although NZ bowled and fielded (arguably the best fielding side in the world) well throughout the tournament their batting is not that of a champion side. England have been ranked no. 1 in ODIs for the best part of the last 2 years; so in that context they deserved to win the world cup.
.
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Jul 22, 2019 06:08pm
This is not cricket. Who is responsible the entire big mess in world of cricket
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Jul 22, 2019 08:06pm
This brings to question - why aren't the umpires given the benefit of replays when the technology is available to them? Pretty dumb if you think about it.
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Jul 22, 2019 08:50pm
Let it go, ENG are the champs.
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Jul 22, 2019 10:37pm
So correct the error just as is done in the Olympics.
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