Never asked umpires to cancel four overthrows in World Cup final: Ben Stokes

The England vs New Zealand ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 clash is considered as one of the classic matches in the modern era. New Zealand managed to notch up 241 and England were reeling at one stage. However, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler ensured that England was in the game. Stokes was in great touch and he held the key as England needed 15 runs off the last over. After two dot balls, Stokes smashed a six off Trent Boult and in the fourth ball, a game-changing moment took place. The left-hander worked a full ball to deep midwicket and set off for a couple. When he set off for the second run, Martin Guptill threw the ball at the striker's end. Stokes had to dive to make his crease but when he dived, the ball hit the bat and went to the third man fence for a boundary. With three required off two balls, the match ended in a tie and in the ensuing super over, that also ended in a tie and England were declared winners due to a superior boundary count.

In the aftermath of the match, the four overthrows was a major talking point with many debating that New Zealand was dealt an unfair hand. James Anderson, who was not part of the World Cup squad but is part of the Ashes, had earlier claimed that the all-rounder had asked for the four overthrow runs to be cancelled. However, Stokes has clarified by stating he never asked for such a thing. "I saw all of that. I was thinking to myself, did I say that? But hand on heart, I did not go up to the umpires and say something like that to the umpires. I went straight to Tom Latham and said 'Mate, I am so sorry', looked over to Kane (Williamson) and said 'I'm sorry'," Stokes said.

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Stokes won the Man of the Match and exclaimed he was lost for words after such a pulsating and nerve-wracking final. "I'm pretty lost for words. All the hard work 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 apologized to Kane for that. I definitely wasn't going to bowl the last over (laughs). It's fantastic, the lads, the family, and the support, it's just been incredible," Stokes said.

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England is now set to play the Ashes against Australia and they will be aiming to retain the Urn back to England, having lost 0-4 to Australia in the 2017/18 series.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• England lost the Ashes contest 0-4 against Australia in 2017/18.
• England has not lost the Ashes at home to Australia since 2001.
• England won the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time.