XtraTime Web Desk: The champions! The term the English cricket fans were wandering to listen for ages. And it has now become a reality. A nail-biting final followed by a super over was needed to separate the two teams England and New Zealand. But do you know, they had as many as four overseas players to make the impossible task possible?
Ben Stokes: The gem English cricket fans were searching for ages. The left-handed batsman hammered an unbeaten 84 run to save his side in the regulation overs, and then ensured England post a massive total in the Super Over, which remains out of bounds for New Zealand. His heroics won him the man of the match award trophy in the final, and England their first World Cup trophy. But away from all the drama, Stokes’ father was supporting New Zealand. One of the best all-rounder across formats in the world right now, Stokes was born on June 4, 1991 in New Zealand and spent early years of his life in Christchurch. He moved to England when he was 12 after his father, Gerard took a rugby coaching contract in Cumbria. Despite the cricketer settling down in England, his parents continue to stay in Christchurch.
Eoin Morgan: English skipper Eoin Morgan hit the maximum sixes in an Innings during his sensational century against Afghanistan. Born in Dublin in Ireland, Morgan first played for his home nation. He played 23 ODIs for Ireland scoring 744 runs at an average of 35.42. He is now in the history books after becoming the first ever English Captain to win an ICC World Cup. The left-hander created a good impression in the minds of the English selectors when he played a tour match for England Lions against South Africa. He had to quit playing for Ireland when he was named in the 15-man squad for the World T20 in 2009. Morgan, since then, has been a regular feature in the England team. He is the first and only player to represent the side in more than 200 ODIs. Morgan is only the third Irish player to lead the England cricket team.
Jason Roy: Durban, South Africa, Jason Roy moved to the United Kingdom when he was 10 years old. He has led the England ODI revolution from the front and has been one of the mainstays of this team. Despite having injuries during the World Cup, he showed his class with some fierce hitting. Roy made the headlines with his aggressive batting in the semi finals against Australia. He was exactly the kind of player the team was looking for and thus was drafted in straightaway after 2015 World Cup. Roy has only grown from strength to strength since then and sealed his spot in the side.
Jofra Archer: The Caribbean who kept his nerve till the end in the Super Over to lift his side to the glory. Immensely talented, the pacer who took 20 wickets in the World Cup, gained name with his performances in the T20 Leagues around the world. Archer played U19 cricket for the Windies and was all slated to become one of the big things for the Caribbean side. But the cricket structure and the board in the West Indies failed to recognize his talent and he almost became a forgotten name. Archer is so talented that he forced a change of rules to accommodate him in the England side for the World Cup 2019. He was born in Bridgetown, Barbados to an English father and a Bajan mother.