We are unlikely to witness an ODI, leave alone a World Cup final, like that again. But was the boundary count tiebreaker a fair way to decide the champions? Former cricketers tweeted their disagreement with the rule.
Don't understand how the game of such proportions, the #CWC19Final, is finally decided on who scored the most boundaries. A ridiculous rule @ICC. Should have been a tie. I want to congratulate both @BLACKCAPS & @englandcricket on playing out a nail biting Final. Both winners imo.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 14, 2019
Boundaries win the World Cup? Lovers of cricket turn up for wickets (ENG 10-241, NZ 8-241) AND runs. I love both of these teams but am feeling extremely dissatisfied despite such an amazing match. Shame on all media who fail to highlight the fact that this was a tie. BOOOOOO
— stu macgill (@scgmacgill) July 14, 2019
I don't agree with that rule ! But rules are rules congratulations to England on finally winning the World Cup , my heart goes out for the kiwis they fought till the end Great game an epic final !!!! #CWC19Final
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 14, 2019
Nice work @ICC ... you are a joke!!!
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) July 14, 2019
Some rules in cricket definitely needs a serious look in.
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 15, 2019
Congratulations to England!
— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) July 14, 2019
Commiserations New Zealand.
I've got to say that it's a horrible way to decide the winner. This rule has to change.
Some even shared their alternatives.
Difficult to digest this more boundary rule. Something like sudden death- continuous super overs till a result is a better solution. Understand, wanting a definite winner but sharing a trophy is better than deciding on more boundaries. Very tough on New Zealand. #EngVsNZ
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 14, 2019
Shared. This isnt franchise cricket, nor is it a match to find a winner to advance a stage. It was two fabulous teams who battled for 100 overs. Simply a tie https://t.co/PywsqHrDRE
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) July 15, 2019
Congrats England in their first World Cup win... unlucky New Zealand... the Laws or rules of the Tournament need to be looked at! It's a WC Final!!! Another Super over at least!
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) July 14, 2019
That is actually brutal.... can we come back tomorrow please? #CWC19Final #ENGvsNZ
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) July 14, 2019
Should the trophy have been shared?
Trophy deserved to be shared and one of the best games in the history of cricket.congratulations to @ECB_cricket and @BLACKCAPS for providing an absolute brilliant game of cricket
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) July 14, 2019
Will remember the 2019 WC which had an England v New Zealand finals & had England & New Zealand as winners.#CricketWins
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 14, 2019
The boundary count rule wasn't the only one that came under the scanner during the final.
I understand the frustration/anger around the #SuperOver rules, deciding a #WorldCupfinal on a boundary count is contentious. The rule I'm confused about is - "The team batting second in the main match will bat first in the Super Over" How is this a level playing field? @ICC
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) July 15, 2019
I officially hate the DRS
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) July 14, 2019