The 2019 Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand left an indelible mark on the annals of cricketing history. A nail-biting clash ensued, culminating in a Super Over, a first in World Cup finals, to break the deadlock. However, amidst the excitement, the match was marred by controversial umpiring decisions that tilted the scales in England’s favor, overshadowing their historic triumph at Lord’s.
England, the birthplace of cricket, had long awaited their maiden 50-over World Cup victory, finally clinching it in 2019. Yet, the joy of their win was dampened by significant umpiring errors that sparked debate and disappointment among New Zealand players and fans alike.
The pivotal moment arrived in the final over of England’s chase when a deflection off Ben Stokes’ bat resulted in an overthrow that ran to the boundary. Umpires Marais Erasmus and Kumar Dharmasena erroneously awarded England six runs, despite only five runs being justified as the batters hadn’t crossed for the second run.
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Reflecting on the error, Erasmus admitted to his oversight, acknowledging, “The next morning… Kumar opened his door… and said, ‘Did you see we made a massive error?'” He attributed the mistake to the umpires’ flustered state at the crucial moment, where they failed to realize the batsmen hadn’t completed the second run.
Ben Stokes, expressing remorse, extended his apologies to Kane Williamson and the New Zealand team for the incident, acknowledging the fortuitous turn of events. “Playing against New Zealand is always a good event… I will be apologizing to Kane for the rest of my life… It was written in the stars to happen for us,” remarked Stokes, reflecting on the serendipitous nature of the victory.
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However, amidst the focus on the contentious boundary decision, Erasmus lamented his incorrect LBW dismissal of Ross Taylor, which deprived New Zealand of a key batsman. “It was just too high but they had burnt their review… that impacted the game… he was one of their top players,” rued Marais Erasmus, highlighting the potential significance of the decision on the outcome of the match.
In the aftermath of the final, the controversies surrounding umpiring decisions sparked widespread discussions, underscoring the need for greater accuracy and accountability in officiating high-stakes matches. Despite England’s historic triumph, the match will forever be remembered for the contentious moments that cast a shadow over the spectacle of the World Cup final.
