Not for the first time, Stokes brought out his big-match flair and situational awareness when his team needed it the most. Cricket fans will remember the 2019 50-over World Cup final at Lord’s, as the ball runs off Stokes’ bat and runs towards the boundary, tying the score with New Zealand. The boundary count won it for England, Neutral said, but in reality, it was Stokes who took his team home with an unbeaten 84 off 98 balls.
England then had to score 4.84 and Stokes scored 5.14 for six balls. In Melbourne, England needed 6.9 per over in 20 overs. Stokes scored runs at 6.36 per over. Taken separately, these would be worrying strike rates in major matches in white-ball cricket. But, these were invaluable contributions when you look at the quality of the attack on both occasions and that the conditions offered some help for the bowlers. When Stokes’ head hit the pillow, sleep would come easily as he took the responsibility of his team’s need and did not leave the crease till the job was done.
But, Stokes did not play single handed. His name will be remembered over the years when it comes to these Grand Finals, but England hasn’t deviated from the way of cricket that has governed their white-ball cricket in recent years.
Jos Buttler committed to the attack after scoring 26 runs in just 17 balls even after Alex Hales was dismissed in the first over. 6th-ranked Mueen Ali was not at his best but he did not shy away from bowling at a time when Pakistan put together some tough overs and brought up the required run rate.
At the break of the innings, a strange announcement sounded through the speakers at the MCG. “The rain has delayed the start of the game. We will advise you on the restoration soon.” This message, delivered by a robotic voice, came long before a drop of rain fell, like a fire drill that pulls you out of office buildings, even when there’s no danger.
Eventually, a drizzle wet the players, and the Duckworth–Louisstern calculations were applied, but England made sure they were not needed.
Had Stokes got help from his friends with the bat, the entire line-up would have had two bowlers, notably, thanks to allowing him enough breathability against Pakistan’s relentless onslaught.
Adil Rashid looks like the most effortless leg-spinner in that he doesn’t square the ball and refuses to send a mystery delivery. Rashid changes his flight and speed, line and length in combinations that ensure that his accuracy is never affected. He also deploys the googlies wisely, choosing his timing and opponent carefully. All this while Rashid controlled the batsmen to such an extent that they could only manage 22 runs in their four overs in the evening.
On a day when the focus was mostly on Pakistan’s fast bowlers – and it was understandable how attractive they were, all raw pace and seam and swing – Sam Curran swooped under the radar with his medium-fast left arm.
Curran doesn’t push himself to try to match his flamboyant teammates or opponents, but he has mastered the most important aspect of bowling: finding a way to take wickets. Mohammad Rizwan was going hard on a ball that was floating outside and pulled the ball back to his stumps. Shan Masood tries to make room for a shot off Curran, but the bowler clings to his guns and throws one off that size, leading to a false shot. Mohammad Nawaz took on Curran, trying to hit a whip on a side pad, but the big boundary meant there was a fielder in place, ready and waiting. Curran ended the game with the figures of 4-0-12-3 you might expect from Wasim Akram, a 25-year-old still growing in the game, and was named player of the match and tournament. it was done.
England became the first team to hold a 50-over and 20-over World Cup simultaneously, underscoring the importance of giving the white-ball game the respect it deserves.
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