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Photo: espncricinfo.com |
Very rarely you
get to watch such a thrilling one-day encounter, an ICC Cricket World Cup final
at that! Further, it a was low scoring game where New Zealand won the toss and
naturally elected to bat, and struggled and struggled and stuttered to get to a
score of 240 in full fifty overs which never looked like a winning total a la
the hype created over the so-called 300+
pitches of the world event. However, in
light of the semi final match against India when NZ gave a target of just 239
runs and won it, plus the pressures of a World Cup final the target of 241 for
England was a challenging one on a pitch that was termed as ‘tricky’ by
confused commentators. The essence of the game as was felt by all cricket
lovers was that none of the teams was willing to give away an inch. It was, throughout
the entire duration of the match, an outstanding display of seam bowling and
super class fielding by both England and New Zealand. Even neutral fans were
hooked as the probable winners changed every minute till the last ball of the
100th over and then the Super Over. For the first time in the
history of world cricket we had witnessed a tied match in 100 overs and also a
tied match in the deciding Super Over. But one team had to win to lift the
coveted trophy, and so the rules regarding maximum boundaries hit by a team in
their innings and the super over were applied. And, as per those rules England
was declared the new World Cricket Champions.
A debate is
still raging on all over the globe on the fairness of the rules. Well, when
rules are being framed scepticism and opposition should come then and there,
and not after the set rules were applied. The very Super Over rule was actually
more apt for T20 tournaments and for IPL. The revellers for the shortest format
never uttered a word when such rules were set by the ICC. Now all are saying NZ
has been done a great injustice or that there should have been joint winners. In my
view, both teams had their bits of luck and chances to win the match. England
needed 3 runs from 2 balls in the 100th over which is considered cakewalk in
the modern world of cricket, but could only tie. New Zealand also needed 3 runs
from 2 balls in the super over, and could only tie. Hence, what was wrong in
applying the set rules? In all instances when teams win by 1 run or 1 wicket similar
painful thoughts always haunt you, particularly when it’s your favourite team that
suffers such a fate. On a day one team becomes the winner, and there is no
question of justice or injustice being done. It is also common to see sixes cut
off by splendid catches on the boundary line or crossing the boundary after
catching it successfully, and also the overthrows going to the boundary.
Whereas no team
in this incredible final encounter deserved to lose England did become the
Champions thanks to their nerve and brilliance, and therefore nobody should
grudge their celebrations. The intensely competitive fight by the New Zealanders
will remain in public memory for a long time, and the team must surge ahead for
the ultimate glory in coming years. It’s not for nothing that Ken Williamson
was declared the Player of the Tournament. India’s Rohit Sharma made an
unbelievable record of 5 tons in a single World Cup, but couldn't go ahead to
make his team win the games that mattered finally. These are all part of this
beautiful game of cricket. Last thought is that the ICC should not mix up rules
for all formats and should emphatically separate the ‘populist’ T20 format from
the classic formats of Tests and ODIs.