On July 14 2019, England won the ODI Cricket World Cup for the first time, beating New Zealand in a final at Lord’s that remains the most controversial in the tournament’s history.
Chasing 242, England were bowled out for 241 to level the match, sending it to cricket’s first-ever Super Over in a World Cup final.
That finished tied too, at 15 apiece, so England were declared champions on boundary count, having hit more fours and sixes across the match than New Zealand.
THE HERO OF THE 2019 WORLD CUP FINAL.🙇♂️🌟
– His unbeaten 84 off 98 balls* rescued England, forced a Super Over, and helped secure their first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup title. He was deservedly named Player of the Match.#OnThisDay | #England | #ENGvNZ @benstokes38…
— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) July 14, 2026
The rule proved so contentious that the ICC scrapped it soon after, with ties now resolved by repeating the Super Over until a winner emerges.
Ben Stokes was at the centre of it, finishing unbeaten on 84 and also batting in the Super Over. His innings included a controversial moment when the ball deflected off his bat as he dived for the crease, with a New Zealand throw sending it to the boundary.
Umpires later admitted the six runs awarded should have been five under the laws of the game.
Jos Buttler ran out Martin Guptill off the final ball of the Super Over to seal the win.
Photo: Tom Jenkins/Getty Images
