In history of cricket, July 14, 2019 is memorable day when a wrong decision deprived New Zealand of the World Cup trophy. Played at historic ground of Lord’s, the visiting team won the toss, batted first and presented a total of 241 runs, which was not less than a challenge for any opponent.
As the England team took the field, their journey was not smooth either. After crossing many ups and downs, they were moving towards the destination. But the last ray of light for them was Ben Stokes, whose lamp of determination and courage was not yet extinguished.
On the last ball of the 49th over, when nine runs were needed on board, the life of the spectators on both the Kiwis or the British sides was in their throats and their hearts probably forgot to beat, the ball was in the hands of Trent Boult and Ben Stokes was facing. Stokes did not middle the full toss of Boult but sent it towards long on, where Martin Guptill took a swing and threw the ball towards the striker’s end.
Stokes made a determined dive to reach the crease at the moment, but luckly the ball hit his bat and deflected across the boundary. This was the moment when the hearts of the Kiwi fans trembled and they were left holding their heads. But the real surprise came when the umpires, after consulting, awarded six runs to England.
Here the decision was not for Stokes, nor for Guptill, who threw the best of their side. But this decision of the umpires tipped the scales of justice. If four runs had been given, it would have been understandable, but six runs seemed to seal the defeat of the Kiwi team.
Although only two runs were scored on the next two balls, luck was on England’s side in the Super Over, and the Kiwi dreams were shattered.
To me, this decision was controversial, a moment that left a question mark on the integrity of cricket. It could also be said that the scales of fortune tipped in England’s favor that day, but on the scale of justice, this decision left a thick cloud of questions.
In your opinion, was the umpires right to award six runs, or should this decision be considered a wrong turn of history?
