The 2019 world cup is hosted in England and wales. In the first place, all the cricket world cup 2019 teams are in amazing form. Notably, India is considered one of the strongest teams to win the world cup. This is due to their excellent record prior to the tournament. The team has both a powerful batting line up and bowling line – up as well. Other teams also show a power-packed performance. Not to mention, the ICC Cricket world cup 2019 is a treat to watch.
The Preliminary Phase
Indeed, all the ICC world cup 2019 teams did an amazing start. Similarly, India begins its campaign with a win against South Africa at Southampton. The following match with Australia, the previous cricket world cup winners also falls in India’s quarter. The batting line – up plays significantly well. In fact, a mockery of an Australian bowling attack is made. Unfortunately, Dhawan gets injured and is ruled out for the rest of the tournament. Rishabh Pant takes his place. The next match with New Zealand is abandoned due to rain.
The next match is between India and their arch-rivals, Pakistan. India thoroughly thrashes Pakistani bowlers to put up scintillating 365 on the board. Furthermore, Rohit Sharma turns out to be the star scoring 140 off 113 balls supported by Kohli. Pakistan struggles miserably in front of India’s prominent bowling line up. Pakistan’s batting is followed by rain. Also, upon application of the Duckworth Lewis method match is won by India.
Intermediate phase
India then plays against Afghanistan and West Indies. Uniquely, India registers a close win by 11 runs with the former. Thanks to India’s pace bowlers who keep a check on Afghan’s run – rate. The match with Caribbeans, however, is a no-contest win for India. As a matter of fact, credit again goes to India’s dexterous bowlers. This clinical performance from India surely raises their self-confidence.
The first loss
Notably, the match against the hosts is recorded as India’s first loss. The Indian bowling attack somehow falls out of order. The target put up by England is 338. Indian innings are limited to 306/5, therefore, losing by 31 runs. The next match against Bangladesh is a one-sided affair in favor of India. To emphasize, Bangladesh puts up a strong fight. By winning this match, India registers itself a slot in the semifinals.
Terminal Phase
India plays against New Zealand in semi-finals of 2019 cricket world cup. New Zealand’s innings limits to 47th over with the score at 211/5. Markedly, no further play is possible on the day. Taylor manages another seven runs to top-score for the Kiwis. The final score is 239/8 at the end of their 50 overs. To point out, the Indian chase gets off to a poor start with India falling to 5/3 in the fourth over. Especially, with the top three batsmen all going for one run, then 24/4 after 10 overs.
Surprisingly, the middle order batting line up also fails. Thanks to Dhoni and Jadeja’s century partnership that leaves India needing 37 runs from the final three overs. Dhoni tries his level best to reach the target but gets run out. With this wicket, Indian hopes significantly go down. New Zealand wins the match and is forwarded to the final. Not to mention, the world cup 2019 India team players gave their best.
The Final match
New Zealand wins the match and chooses to bat. Kiwis put up a total of 241/8 from their 50 overs. Defending a middling score, the New Zealand bowlers bowl effectively. Consequently, England loses its top order and falls to 86/4 in the 24th over. Ben stokes and butler’s century partnership then get them back into the game. With five overs to play, England still requires another 46 runs. Stokes specifically manages to leave England in a position needing 15 to win from the final over.
Scores are tied on 241 and match goes into super over. On the whole, England scores 15 runs in the super over. For New Zealand, Martin Guptill and James Neesham come on the crease. New Zealand finishes with 15runs in the super over. In essence, it is again a tie. What a world cup final it is. But England’s superior boundary count in the match helps it claim the title. England is declared as the winner of the 2019 ICC Cricket world cup.
England vs New Zealand Final Match: Eoin Morgan became the first England captain to lift the 50-over World Cup trophy (Reuters)
