England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the difference between the two teams as he helped England win the World Cup finals against New Zealand from jaws of defeat. Struggling at 86-4 in the crunch finals, Stokes and Buttler added 110 run to script a fight back. He batted with the lower order and kept playing his natural game to ease the pressure.
With 15 needed off the last over, Stokes kept his nerves and scored 14 runs to take the game to the super over.
England scored 15 runs in the super over courtesy one boundary by Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler. In reply, New Zealand scored 9 runs in starting two balls courtesy a wide, a double and a six by James Neesham.
Neesham scored five runs of next three deliveries by Jofra Archer which brought the equation to 2 off 1 ball. Martin Guptill whipped the ball in front of the deep square fielder- Jason Roy and hurried for the second run but eventually fell short.
After super-overs tie, England were adjudged the winner as they scored more boundaries than New Zealand in the course of 50 overs. Ben Stokes was adjudged the man of the match for his game changing innings of 84 off 98 balls which included 5 fours and 2 massive sixes.
Ben Stokes nominated for New Zealander of the year award
The 28-year-old all-rounder was nominated for the award of New Zealander of the year alongside Kiwi team captain Kane Williamson, Newstalk Zb host Simon Barnett, former league star Manu Weitwei and Abdul Aziz, who emerged hero after the attacks on the Christchurch Mosque.
Stokes’ parents still live in New Zealand. Prior to this, the prime ministerial candidate in England, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt had said that Stokes could get a knighthood for his outstanding performance.
Why English cricketer nominated for New Zealander of the year award ?
Many few know that Ben Stokes was born in Christchurch in New Zealand and he is the son of rugby league player and coach Gerard Stokes. He migrated to England at a very young age when his father became the head coach of Workington Town rugby league club, and Stokes grew up in the small West Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, playing cricket for Cockermouth Cricket Club.
Following his impressive run in county cricket, Stokes made his England debut in 2011 in the ODI series against Ireland. His parents moved back to New Zealand in 2013 but he stayed back in England.
