ICC Men's Cricket World cup 2019

The ICC World Cup 2019 was the 12th edition of the quadrennial international cricket tournament, held in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14, 2019. The tournament featured 10 teams, with each team playing against every other team in a round-robin format. The top four teams at the end of the group stage qualified for the semi-finals, with England emerging as the eventual winners.

The tournament was marked by some outstanding performances, with several players making their mark on the world stage. The final between England and New Zealand was one of the most thrilling matches in the history of the tournament. The match was held at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on July 14, 2019, and it produced a dramatic finish that left fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first, and they got off to a solid start with a 29-run opening partnership between Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls. However, England's bowlers soon gained the upper hand, with Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer picking up key wickets to put pressure on the Kiwi batsmen.

New Zealand struggled to score freely, and they lost wickets at regular intervals, with captain Kane Williamson holding the innings together with a patient 30 off 53 balls. The lower-order batsmen also chipped in with valuable contributions, with Jimmy Neesham (19) and Tom Latham (47) taking the total to a competitive 241 for 8 in their 50 overs.

In response, England got off to a poor start, losing opener Jason Roy in the second over to a sharp catch by Latham off the bowling of Matt Henry. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root then steadied the ship with a 71-run partnership, but Bairstow was dismissed for 36, leaving England in a precarious position.

Root continued to anchor the innings, and he was well supported by Jos Buttler, who played some attacking shots to keep the run rate under control. However, when Root was dismissed for 59, England still needed 46 runs off 31 balls, with four wickets in hand.

At this stage, it looked like New Zealand were in the driver's seat, but Ben Stokes had other ideas. The all-rounder played a sensational knock, scoring an unbeaten 84 off 98 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. He was particularly effective in the final overs, hitting some crucial boundaries to keep England's hopes alive.

With two runs needed off the final ball, Stokes hit the ball towards deep midwicket and attempted to come back for a second run. The throw from the fielder hit Stokes' bat and went to the boundary, resulting in four overthrows. The umpires conferred and awarded England six runs, taking them level with New Zealand's total of 241.

The match was then decided by a super over, with England batting first and scoring 15 runs, thanks to some big hitting from Stokes and Buttler. New Zealand's reply got off to a bad start, with Archer bowling a brilliant over to restrict the Kiwis to 13 runs, securing a historic victory for England.

One of the key features of the tournament was the quality of the pitches, which provided a fair contest between bat and ball. The grounds in England and Wales are known for their lush green outfield, which provides excellent playing conditions for cricket. The pitches also offered something for the bowlers, with the swing and seam movement ensuring that the batsmen had to work hard for their runs.

The tournament was not without controversy, however. The weather played a significant role, with several matches being affected by rain. This led to criticism from some quarters, with calls for the tournament to be held in a different part of the year to avoid the rainy season in England. The tournament was also marked by the use of technology, with the Decision Review System (DRS) being used to review umpiring decisions.

Overall, the ICC World Cup 2019 was a fitting tribute to the sport of cricket, showcasing the best that the game has to offer. The tournament was a celebration of skill, athleticism, and sportsmanship, with players from different countries coming together to compete at the highest level. The success of the tournament bodes well for the future of cricket, with interest in the sport continuing to grow around the world.

In conclusion, the ICC World Cup 2019 was a memorable event, with some outstanding performances, excellent playing conditions, and a fair contest between bat and ball. The tournament demonstrated the enduring appeal of cricket, with fans from around the world tuning in to watch their teams compete on the world stage. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, we can look forward to many more memorable tournaments in the years to come.