XtraTime Web Desk: It was just 3 years ago when Ben Stokes failed to defend 19 runs in the final over of World T20 as Windies power hitter Carlos Brathwaite had hit him for four consecutive sixes to give Windies the trophy. And on July 14, 2019 Stokes was in quite similar condition but this time with the bat. But this time he wrote his name in the history books as England’s one of the greatest players by helping his country to win it’s maiden World Cup title. He remained 84 not out at the end.
Stokes was awarded the Man of the Match for his effort. Speaking at the end of the game, he expressed his delight over the way the team managed to execute the plans.
“I’m pretty lost for words. All the hardwork that’s gone on in these four years, and to execute with such a good game is unthinkable. Thanks to everyone for all the support. We just kept talking during the partnership with Jos, and the run-rate wasn’t getting away, and in the last over when the ball hit the bat and went for four – I apologize to Kane for that. I definitely wasn’t going to bowl the last over (laughs). It’s fantastic, without the lads, the family, and the support, it’s just been incredible,” said Ben Stokes.
The first tie of the game was a result of an unfortunate event with three balls left in the game. A throw from the deep was deflected off Ben Stokes’ bat on the dive and raced away to the boundary which proved crucial in the scheme of the contest.
“Not the way I wanted to do it, ball going off my bat like that, I apologised to Kane,” Stokes said of the incident. “I said to Kane I’ll be apologising for that for the rest of my life.”