England crowned world champions after tense tied final

Finding the boundary more often paid off for England who were crowned world champions after playing to a tie against New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s.

The Black Caps posted 241-8 after winning the toss and electing to bat, and a dramatic finish saw England bowled out for the same total, forcing the match into a super over.

There was to be no big opening partnership for the host nation, as has been typical of them in this tournament, with Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy putting on 28 runs before the latter was removed by Matt Henry for 17.

Joe Root followed soon after eating up 30 balls for his seven runs, and England were soon in trouble with captain Bairstow and captain Eoin Morgan back in the hut with the score on 86-4.

Stokes and Jos Buttler got together, and it looked as if they were cruising to victory as they put on a 110-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

This was before Lockie Ferguson had Buttler caught by substitute fielder Tim Southee for 59 at almost a run a ball.

This sparked a mini-collapse that brought the Black Caps back into it.

A superb penultimate over bowled by James Neesham, who removed Liam Plunkett and Jofra Archer left England reeling at 227-8, but Stokes was still there to face the final over from Boult.

With 15 to get for victory, Stokes declined singles off the first two balls before launching the left-armer for a massive six at cow corner.

Luck then smiled on the New Zealand-born England all-rounder who, in the process of completing a second run, the ball ricocheted off his bat and rolled to the boundary.

With two runs to win, Stokes got bat on ball and his partner at the other end, Mark Wood was run out coming back for two – leaving the two teams tied on 241.

Stokes was back in the middle for the super over alongside Joss Buttler, with Boult resuming from where he left off with the ball.

After struggling to pierce the field, a six off the final delivery saw England posting 15 in the Super over.

Neesham and Martin Guptill were the men entrusted with knocking off the target by the Kiwis, with Archer given the bowling duties by the Poms.

The bowler got off to a nervy start, giving a way a wide, before Neesham launched him for a maximum to leave New Zealand needing seven off four.

However, Archer regained his aim enough to leave Guptill needing to get two off the final delivery.

The opening batsman, who has struggled for form throughout the tournament, managed only a single and was run out on his way back for a second run.

Despite the tie, this gave England the win by virtue of scoring more boundaries in their 50 overs.