England fulfilled the pre-tournament billing of tournament favorites and put together a superb series of achievements to revive a flag campaign and win their first world title.
For the third time in a row, the host has won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. England went into this tournament as the overwhelming favorite, having done perhaps the most dominant run of all times before a World Cup. Within four years, England had developed from a mediocre one-day outfit without direction to an invincible lineup of world-thugs.
Still, this was far from a perfect campaign for the home team. But this slip-up itself was essential to their development and to prove why they really are the top one-day site in the world. England began as people expected with a big win against South Africa in the tournament opening game. They even beat Pakistan unexpectedly in their second game, and quickly defeated Bangladesh, the West Indies and Afghanistan.
RelatedPosts
But then Jason Roy injured his Achilles tendon, and in his absence England lost against Sri Lanka, and then against Australia. As a result, they absolutely had to win against India and New Zealand – two teams that they had not beaten at a World Cup for 27 years.
But Roy returned, and England rediscovered his victories and prevailed against both sides for the first time since 1992 to qualify for the semi-finals. They destroyed Australia in Edgbaston to agree on a final date with New Zealand and England. Amazingly, after a draw with New Zealand in both the 100 Overs and the Super Over, he won with a first triumph in the tournament’s biggest final.
Whole Team Performance
England had more than its share of individual superstars, but all fired together. England had four batsmen who passed 400 runs in the tournament when no other team had more than two. Likewise, their throwers shared the gates. Jofra Archer, her highest wicket taker, accounted for 22% of all wickets that England’s bowlers captured at this tournament.
Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow were at the top of the leaderboard, Joe Root was an immovable object in third place, Ben Stokes was an absolute machine and Archer, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett played great partnerships to create and maintain pressure ,
England silenced some of its biggest criticisms with its performance during the tournament. When they came under severe pressure after losing to Sri Lanka and Australia, they could have collapsed under the weight of expectations. But they came out hard and increased their game even further. Their performance in the semifinals showed them that they did not have to rely on victory and were as confident in the hunt – something not many teams could claim at this World Cup.
And with their performance in the final, they have proven that some of their greatest doubters are wrong in proving that they can hold on to distances that offer freedom of movement, momentum and slowness and are able to dig rather than try to turn yourself out of any situation. It’s an achievement that you would expect from a team that was rightfully crowned champion.
Need Improvement
Roy missed two games in Round Robin and England promptly lost both games. Roy’s presence and his partnership with Bairstow have made a significant contribution to the election campaign in England. However, it is unfair to expect that the two will always build stalactites.
James Vince, who replaced him, completed a total of 40 runs in three games. Given the high demands Roy made, these figures were not enough to compensate for his absence. In an otherwise bubbly and endless pool of punch talents, this is a weak link that England would do well to find a solution.
New Stars
Highest wicket taker for his side. Beat impressive speeds. Delivered in crisis situations. Opened the goals against Australia in the semifinals. And thrown the Super Over in a World Cup final in his 14th ODI. England believed in Archer. It would probably be good if you believe in him, too.
All Matches Results
League stages
30 May: v South Africa, The Oval, London – England won by 104 runs
03 June: v Pakistan, Trent Bridge, Nottingham – Pakistan won by 14 runs
08 June: v Bangladesh, Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff – England won by 106 runs
14 June: v West Indies, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton – England won by eight wickets
18 June: v Afghanistan, Old Trafford, Manchester – England won by 150 runs
21 June: v Sri Lanka, Headingley, Leeds – Sri Lanka won by 20 runs
25 June: v Australia, Lord’s, London – Australia won by 64 runs
30 June: v India, Edgbaston, Birmingham – England won by 31 runs
03 July: v New Zealand, The Riverside Durham, Chester-le-Street – England won by 119 runs
Semi-final
11 July: v Australia, Edgbaston, Birmingham – England won by eight wickets
Final
14 July: v New Zealand, Lord’s, London – Match tied; Super Over tied; England won on boundary count
