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Live Coverage: Cricket World Cup final - England vs. New Zealand

England beat New Zealand in the final at Lord's.
  • England win the World Cup after a super over
  • New Zealand fall one run short after scores are tied
  • Stokes and Buttler hit 16 from the super over
  • England win their first World Cup

ENGLAND WIN THE CRICKET WORLD CUP

Well there we are. What an incredible match that was, an incredible day for cricket in this country. England’s men are champions of the world for the first time after one of the most remarkable matches in ODI history.

Thanks for joining us for our live coverage!

England lift the Cricket World Cup
England lift the Cricket World Cup (Nick Potts/PA)

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 14, 2019

England captain Eoin Morgan on Sky Sports

Morgan said: “There has been a lot of people involved along the way who are not in the changing room today, like Andrew Strauss, Paul Farbrace, David Willey, Sam Billings – guys who have been on the journey but have missed out today – it has been an incredible amount of hard work and it has been all worthwhile just for this.”

England are world champions
England are world champions (Nick Potts/PA)

Player of the tournament: Kane Williamson

It has been a heartbreaking day for Williamson, but he has been named as the ICC Player of the Tournament for his 578 runs and leading New Zealand to the final.

“Congratulations to England, they have had a fantastic campaign and they deserved the victory,” he said at the presentation.

“It is obviously very devastating. It is pretty tough to swallow at this time but a fantastic effort by our guys.”

England players celebrate on the balcony
England players celebrate on the balcony (John Walton/PA)

Jos Buttler on Sky Sports

Buttler said: “You think you’ve seen everything in cricket and that game was just ridiculous wasn’t it.

“Amazing occasion, it’s hard to put it into words at the minute. What an unbelievable day.”

Ben Stokes on Sky Sports

Stokes said: “Lost for words, all the hard work over the four years, to get here and be champions of the world is an amazing feeling.

“Playing against New Zealand is always a great event to be apart of. They are a seriously good team and they are really good lads.”

On the overthrows that he inadvertently diverted for four, Stokes added: “I said to Kane (Williamson) I will be apologising for that for the rest of my life. Written in the stars when that kind of stuff happens.”

England’s rugby union players were watching on. They will play in the World Cup in Japan later this year. Anyone for an England double?

England win after the Super Over
England win after the Super Over (John Walton/PA)

ENGLAND WIN THE CRICKET WORLD CUP

The agony and the ecstasy. A phenomenal moment for England as Buttler enacted the run out which clinched the trophy at the end of the Super Over.

But a horrible feeling for New Zealand, who have been magnificent, and they will reflect on those incredibly unlucky overthrows which cost them their maiden World Cup win.

ENGLAND WIN THE CRICKET WORLD CUP

Brilliant bowling from Archer, Neesham scraps a single to leave Guptill needing two from the final ball. He can only manage one as England win the World Cup!

Neesham and Guptill the men New Zealand have chosen for this moment. Archer starts with a wide, well called by Kumar Dharmasena.

Brilliant yorker to follow from Archer, dug out for two by Neesham.

Next up, six! In the slot and Neesham belts it into the stands. Seven needed from four.

Nobody who has witnessed this match will ever forget it. What an extraordinary contest this has been.

And it will be Jofra Archer, who had never played for England before this summer, to bowl the Super Over.

Super Over ENG 15

Stokes and Buttler the pairing for England as Boult takes the ball again for New Zealand.

Stokes slices the ball away for three off the first. Single to Buttler and then a brilliant four to Stokes. New Zealand look dejected, as though the events of that final over have knocked the stuffing out of them.

Buttler whacks the final ball away for another four. New Zealand need 16 to win the World Cup. An incredibly difficult ask.

Phenomenal cricket from these two sides. And brilliant skill under pressure, from Stokes and the New Zealand fielders.

So, a super over. Three batsmen from each side, one bowler. England will bat first this time, losing two wickets will end your super over.

Quite simply, the team who scores the most runs will win. Think that is about the size of it!

50th over SCORES ARE TIED!

Extraordinary over. Boult starts well, but Stokes smashes a six to get the total down to nine runs needed from three balls.

Then a horrible moment for New Zealand. The ball is thrown in to try and run Stokes out after a two, it cannons off Stokes’ bat and goes for four. In the rules it stands and England are awarded six runs.

Rashid is run out attempting a second run, meaning two runs are needed from the final ball.

Stokes crashes it down the ground and Wood is run out coming back for the second.

Scores are tied. We have a super over!

49th over ENG 227-8

England need 15 from six balls

WICKET Archer 0 b Neesham

Magnificent finish from Neesham. Bowls a delightful slower ball to scatter Archer’s stumps.

England will require 15 from the final over to win the World Cup. Rashid the new man.

Stokes on strike, Boult the bowler. It has all come down to this.

What a moment! Stokes goes with a huge shot, Boult catches the ball in the deep but steps on the boundary ropes. That is a massive error and one which could cost New Zealand the World Cup!

WICKET Plunkett 10 c Boult b Neesham

Under Pressure plays out at Lord’s. Not sure these sets of players needed reminding of that fact!

Single starts the over. Stokes back on strike against Neesham. Brilliant yorker, squeezed for another single.

And there’s a wicket, Plunkett hits down the ground and only finds Boult! In comes Jofra Archer – this lad can bat.

48th over ENG 218-6

England need 24 from 12 balls

Four! There is another one for England, this time from Stokes, to start the over. Boult under pressure.

Heaved away by Plunkett for two. England going hard at every ball now. Boult bounces back well with a bouncer and finishes well with a yorker. 24 from two overs.

47th over ENG 208-6

England need 34 from 18 balls

Plunkett is the new man in. He was the hero with the ball. Can he be the same with the bat? Exceptional bowling from Ferguson – who now has three wickets.

But there is that man Liam Plunkett. He picks up on a full ball and smashes it away for four. Huge boundary.

WICKET Woakes 2 c Latham b Ferguson

Woakes goes for the big shot but skies it to keeper Latham, who just about clings on. The nerves standing under that one!

46th over ENG 203-5

England need 39 from 24 balls

Four! Huge shot from Stokes. Just three from the over until Stokes times Neesham through the leg-side for four, beating the despairing dive in the deep. Swings momentum again.

45th over ENG 196-5

England need 46 from 30 balls

Woakes is the new man in. Very capable with the bat so England will have no concern over his ability. But very tough for a new man to come in in these circumstances, on this kind of pitch.

WICKET Buttler 59 c Southee b Ferguson

Buttler has decided it is time to push on. He crashes Ferguson over the top of cover for four before trying to repeat the feat and slicing away to third man for two – after a brilliant bit of fielding from Boult.

But he tries once too often and gets underneath a full one, picking out the onrushing Tim Southee in the deep. Excellent catch. Another twist.

This match!

Stokes survived a Neesham yorker
Stokes survived a Neesham yorker (John Walton/PA)

44th over ENG 189-4

England need 53 from 36 balls

Williamson goes back to Boult, but Buttler has the answer, smashing the ball over cover for four. He goes to his 50 from 53 balls. What a knock this is!

And Stokes joins him with a single down the ground in the same over. Six from it again. This pair will be determined to see England home to World Cup glory.

43rd over ENG 183-4

England need 59 from 42 balls

Extraordinary shot from Buttler, who paddles a slower ball yorker from Ferguson for two. To pull that off, in these circumstances, takes some nerve.

Good over for England, six off it.

42nd over ENG 177-4

England need 65 from 48 balls

Neesham is back into the attack. He pulls out a searing yorker which Stokes does well to dig out as he ends up flat on the floor. Four from the over. England firm favourites according to ‘win predictor’.

41st over ENG 173-4

England need 69 from 54 balls

The pressure out there must be enormous. It is a good over from Ferguson, despite a wide in the middle of it. He whistles a rapid bouncer past Buttler’s ears. Three from the over.

England fans in Trafalgar Square
England fans in Trafalgar Square (Chris Radburn/PA)

40th over ENG 165-4

England need 72 from 60 balls

Final over for Henry but he is unable to find the threat he had with that newer ball. England are able to pick off the singles before Buttler produces a piece of magic to get the crowd on its feet.

A full ball from Henry and he gets down to scoop the ball in the air to fine leg for four.

39th over ENG 162-4

This partnership looks more pivotal with every ball. Where New Zealand struggled to find the boundary, Stokes and Buttler are doing so with regularity. This time a short ball from Neesham is muscled up the hill through mid-wicket for four by Stokes.

There’s a growing confidence in the stands at Lord’s…

38th over ENG 156-4

It will take nerves of steel to win this and also a touch of luck. England get another slice of that, as Neesham forces an inside edge from Stokes which bounces just past his stumps.

The runs continue to come for England. Buttler goes in the air, straight down the ground for four.

The England balcony
The England balcony (John Walton/PA)

37th over 149-4

Ferguson is back as Williamson hunts wickets. Horrible delivery first up, short and wide, and it is stroked for four by Buttler. The second ball pops up in the air but evades the fielders. Six from the over, good for England.

36th over ENG 143-4

A hint of desperation perhaps from New Zealand? Henry slopes one in at Buttler which raps him on the pads. Appeared to be clearly sliding down leg, but Henry talks his captain into a review.

And the Blackcaps lose that review as the replay confirms the initial view. Could that prove crucial later on?

Two off the over.

35th over ENG 141-4

Low-risk batting is the way to go for Stokes and Buttler and that is exactly what they are doing. Five singles from the over, the required run rate is 6.73 – very manageable at this stage.

There is no turn for Santner. Williamson may be forced to go back to Ferguson to try and make a breakthrough.

34th over ENG 137-4

Fifty partnership is up for Stokes and Buttler and it is roared with great gusto by the England supporters at Lord’s. They are doing everything England need them to do here, finding the gaps and running well to take eight from Henry’s over.

33rd over ENG 129-4

Positive signs here for Stokes and Buttler, whose partnership is starting to grow very nicely. It is a good over from Santner, just three from it, but no threat.

New Zealand still require wickets. The runs will not concern these two as long as they stay together.

Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes rebuilt for England
Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes rebuilt for England (Nick Potts/PA)

32nd over ENG 126-4

So close! Buttler attacks Boult, cutting in the air for four but it was a matter of centimetres away from the right hand of the diving Guptill. There are not too many better backward point fielders in the world, and that was agonisingly close to being a world class catch.

31st over ENG 119-4

Is this the game? Left-arm spinner Santner is into the attack, bowling to two of England’s most dangerous batsmen. England have not been able to get the seamers away, so may look to be aggressive against spin.

Content with singles, four from it. That is enough for Stokes and Buttler at this stage.

30th over ENG 115-4

Boult’s back to replace Neesham, with captain Williamson hoping to break this partnership. Tight from the left-armer, just four singles coming from the over.

Into the final 20 overs. 127 runs required.

29th over ENG 111-4

What a spell from De Grandhomme. He almost grabs a second wicket as he nips one back to beat Buttler and narrowly miss the off stump. The medium pacer boasts the best economy rate of the World Cup.

28th over ENG 106-4

Brilliant from Stokes, who skips down the ground and belts a four straight past Neesham. That signal of intent forces a wide down the leg-side as England take eight off the over.

Stokes has four half-centuries in the tournament. What England would give for another one.

27th over ENG 98-4

De Grandhomme starts his ninth over and England still have no answer to the tall medium-pacer. It is a maiden, at this stage of a one-day international. Quite remarkable.

26th over 98-4

Neesham continues, pace off the ball the way to go for New Zealand at the moment. The required rate creeps up to a run a ball, but England take five off the over. No spin yet, Mitchell Santner yet to be introduced.

Ferguson took a stunning catch
Ferguson took a stunning catch (Nick Potts/PA)

25th over HALFWAY ENG 93-4

25 overs gone, England require another 149 runs to win, six wickets left.

Buttler has struggled for form, after a strong start. This would be a good day to find it again!

  • 18 v South Africa
  • 103 v Pakistan
  • 64 v Bangladesh
  • DNB v West Indies
  • 2 v Afghanistan
  • 10 v Sri Lanka
  • 25 v Australia
  • 20 v India
  • 11 v New Zealand
  • DNB v Australia

24th over ENG 89-4

There have been some fantastic catches in this tournament – Stokes against South Africa, Sheldon Cottrell against Australia, Neesham against India – but in a final, that is arguably the best.

The batsmen just keep coming for England. Jos Buttler, one of the best in the world, walks to the crease.

WICKET Morgan 9 c Ferguson b Neesham

Oh my word! If there was a catch worthy of winning a World Cup we have just seen it from Ferguson. It’s a loosener from Neesham but Morgan carves it in the air out to deep point, where Ferguson steams in and takes a sensational low catch.

They take a look at whether it carried, but it absolutely did. Massive moment.

23rd over ENG 86-3

Five dot balls from De Grandhomme but Stokes also takes a boundary to keep the scoreboard pressure at bay for England. This is a crucial partnership and one which New Zealand will be keen to break quickly.

To do so, they turn to Jimmy Neesham.

Jonny Bairstow is bowled by Lockie Ferguson
Jonny Bairstow is bowled by Lockie Ferguson (Nick Potts/PA)

22nd over ENG 82-3

The target of 242 might still seem a long way off for England but the required run rate is very manageable.

While De Grandhomme might not have much pace, Ferguson certainly does. He flicks Morgan’s helmet with a bouncer before going too short with one that beats Latham and goes for four byes.

21st over ENG 75-3

Nagging accuracy from De Grandhomme. He does not have the pace of the rest of this New Zealand seam attack, but he is finding enough movement to be a real threat.

20th over ENG 73-3

Now then, how are those nerves? This might not be the free-scoring contest many might like in a final, but this slow pitch is making for a dramatic contest.

Ben Stokes – who has had an excellent World Cup with the bat – joins Morgan at the crease.

The ‘win predictor’ on Sky Sports’ coverage had New Zealand’s chances at 17% a while ago. Now it is 40%…

WICKET Bairstow 36 b Ferguson

Bairstow drives Ferguson on the up through the off-side for four but the paceman responds next ball. It is another back-of-a-length delivery which comes off a thick inside edge and cannons into leg stump. A huge wicket.

19th over ENG 66-2

Morgan continuing England’s positive mindset but miscues a big shot down the ground and is fortunate to see it land safely. De Grandhomme getting through his overs to great effect so far.

Colin de Grandhomme dismisses Joe Root
Colin de Grandhomme dismisses Joe Root (John Walton/PA)

18th over 64-2

Good from Ferguson, no let up in pressure as England take four from the over. England know they have time on their side and, crucially, plenty of batting still to come.

17th over ENG 60-2

That will have lifted New Zealand’s spirits. Real gift of a wicket from Root. It brings England skipper Eoin Morgan to the crease. Can he guide his side to the trophy?

WICKET Root 7 c Latham b De Grandhomme

Pressure was building on Joe Root and it forced the error. He skips down the track and tries to belt De Grandhomme into the next postcode, missing by a distance.

Next ball he throws his hands at a wide one and gets a thin edge through to Latham. His seven runs came from 29 balls.

16th over ENG 58-1

Little bit wild early on from the rapid Ferguson, who fires a bouncer down the leg side. Comes back well, hitting 93mph as just two runs come from the over.

  • Matches: 9
  • Wickets: 18
  • Economy: 4.62
  • Average: 19.94

15th over ENG 56-1

Three singles and a two coming off that De Grandhomme over and now it is indeed time for New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament, Lockie Ferguson.

14th over ENG 51-1

Fascinating stuff, this. Another good one from Henry just tails away from Bairstow, but the seamer tries for a magical ball and serves up a juicy half-volley which is clipped to the fence.

Bairstow then swishes at the next ball, with a thick inside edge narrowly missing his stumps and going for four. The luck is with England, so far.

13th over ENG 42-1

Yorkshire pair Bairstow and Root stretch their legs as De Grandhomme is taken for three singles in the over. Williamson looks set to throw the ball to strike bowler Lockie Ferguson, but decides on one more for Henry.

12th over ENG 39-1

Henry continues and it is a third maiden in a row for New Zealand who are keeping England tied down. Good yorker to finish the over, which is squeezed away by Root.

11th over ENG 39-1

First change from Williamson and a slightly surprising one as he brings the medium pace of De Grandhomme into the attack to replace Boult.

Another maiden but a huge chance goes begging off the final ball as Bairstow pops back a fairly regulation caught and bowled chance which is put down by De Grandhomme!

10th over ENG 39-1

Henry on the money again, finding a hint of swing as he bowls a maiden at Root.

9th over ENG 39-1

Powerful drive by Bairstow is stopped by Boult, who then delivers a short ball which is crunched to the fence by the Yorkshireman. The boundaries coming with regularity for England, who will be pleased with this start despite the loss of Roy.

8th over ENG 34-1

Hands on heads of every Kiwi from Lord’s to Christchurch. A beauty from Henry swings away from a booming drive by Bairstow, somehow evading the edge. Just one from the over.

Matt Henry dismissed Jason Roy
Matt Henry dismissed Jason Roy (Nick Potts/PA)

7th over ENG 33-1

Probing from Boult, trying to bring the ball back in to Bairstow’s pads. Swings a wide down the leg-side before Bairstow pushes a four down the ground.

6th over ENG 28-1

Joe Root is the new man and he defends the final two balls of the over. 28 for one after six.

WICKET Roy 17 c Latham b Henry

Another drive for four through the covers from Roy, but Henry holds his line and his nerve to nip one away from the right-hander and take the edge which is well taken by keeper Tom Latham.

Key, key wicket for the Blackcaps.

5th over ENG 24-0

Couple of boundaries through the off-side for Bairstow just releases some of the early pressure. When you do not have a huge target on the board, every boundary hurts and New Zealand know how badly they need wickets.

4th over ENG 16-0

Under the pressure of a run chase in a World Cup final, with the ball nipping around, you could be forgiven for being a little cautious.

Jason Roy not having a bit of it, charging Henry’s final delivery of the fourth and trying to loft it down the ground. Not much timing, though, but it is safe.

3rd over ENG 12-0

Boult finds huge swing with a full ball but Roy evades it, before striking the next ball for four. Excellent contest at the moment, with New Zealand finding movement from the surface.

2nd over ENG 5-0

Another moment of concern for Roy as Henry nips one back as he attempts a booming drive, only for the ball to pass just over the stumps.

The final ball is slightly over-pitched and is stroked straight down the ground for four.

Roy is hit on the pad, before New Zealand review for LBW
Roy is hit on the pad, before New Zealand review for LBW (Nick Potts/PA)

Roy is such a crucial wicket for the Blackcaps. He’s been in sensational form in this World Cup.

  • 54 v South Africa
  • 8 v Pakistan
  • 153 v Bangladesh
  • 66 v India
  • 60 v New Zealand
  • 85 v Australia

1st over ENG 1-0

Huge, huge shout first up from Boult with one that swings back at Roy. Not out the call, New Zealand review. The replay shows it to be crashing into leg stump, but by the smallest of margins Roy survives on umpires call.

New Zealand very unlucky. Superb first over from Boult, one from it.

PLAY

These first ten overs could make or break the match. If Roy and Bairstow fire as they did against Australia and have done so often, they could break the back of this chase very quickly.

But New Zealand, with Boult and Henry, ripped through India early in the semi-final and will be on the hunt for quick wickets.

Here we go…

15.10

We’re about to find out how accurate Tufnell’s prediction is, as Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow emerge for the beginning of the England innings.

15.09

Former England spinner Phil Tufnell thinks the chase will be “a piece of cake”.

15.05

Away from Lord’s, fans have gathered in Trafalgar Square to watch the match on a big screen.

Will they be celebrating on the streets of central London tonight?

Fans watching the match in central London
Fans watching the match in central London (Chris Radburn/PA)

15.01

14.56

England’s star performer Plunkett has just been asked whether he would have taken a target of 242 before play got under way.

50th over NZ 241-8

A fantastic performance from England’s bowlers sees them set a very achievable winning target.

New Zealand produced a superb bowling display of their own in the semi-final win against India and they are likely to need similar again if they are to win the World Cup for the first time.

WICKET Henry 4 b Archer

Matt Henry is brought to the crease by the dismissal of Latham but faces only two deliveries before being clean bowled by Archer in the final over.

49th over NZ 238-7

The wicket comes midway through a mixed innings for Woakes.

The delivery before Latham walked was a costly wide, while a high full toss from his fourth ball gave New Zealand a free hit.

Woakes concedes 13 runs in all.

WICKET Latham 47 c Vince b Woakes

Latham’s innings ends three runs short of his 50.

Another catch for Vince in only his third over in the field – this time off the bowling of Woakes, who joins Plunkett in taking three wickets.

48th over NZ 225-6

Latham and Santner struggle to fight back following the loss of De Grandhomme and add just five in the 48th over.

47th over NZ 220-6

New Zealand add six around the loss of De Grandhomme.

Mitchell Santner arrives at the crease with three overs of the innings remaining and the Black Caps needing a late boost to their total.

WICKET De Grandhomme 16 c Vince b Woakes

A tricky innings for De Grandhomme comes to an end as he lifts a slower Woakes delivery to Vince at mid-off.

46th over NZ 214-5

Wood leaves the field to receive some attention to the injury he picked up in the previous over.

James Vince is the substitute fielder.

Mark Wood required treatment in the World Cup final
Mark Wood required treatment in the World Cup final (Nigel French/PA)

45th over NZ 211-5

Latham smashes a Wood delivery over wide long-on for only New Zealand’s second six of the match, but they can only add one more in an over that yields seven.

Wood appears to be nursing his left side at the end of that one, although he has now completed his allocation.

44th over NZ 204-5

43rd over NZ 196-5

De Grandhomme ducks for cover from a Wood bouncer and is this time struck on the shoulder, although he will gladly accept four leg byes at the expense of a bruise.

42nd over NZ 186-5

De Grandhomme his checked by the physio after edging an Archer delivery onto his helmet and is cleared to continue.

New Zealand add five from the over.

41st over NZ 181-5

Plunkett concedes only two from the final over of his allowance, and New Zealand will be glad to see the back of him.

A fantastic final performance, taking three wickets for 42 runs.

40th over NZ 179-5

Colin De Grandhomme comes to the crease in place of Neesham as New Zealand add six runs off the bowling of Wood.

39th over NZ 173-5

That wicket comes with the final ball of an over in which Plunkett concedes eight runs, including a Neesham boundary for what prove to be his final runs.

WICKET Neesham 19 c Root b Plunkett

Plunkett again!

The 34-year-old adds a third wicket as Neesham lift his cross-seamer to Root at mid-on.

38th over NZ 165-4

Latham and Neesham are doing their best to increase the run rate and the former picks up another boundary with a neat strike to the right of extra-cover off the first delivery of the over.

37th over NZ 159-4

New Zealand will not welcome the sight of Plunkett back on bowling duty.

They emerge from the over unscathed and with a boundary for Latham, although they only add six in total.

36th over NZ 153-4

Another superb over from Wood means he has now conceded only one run from his past 12 deliveries.

35th over NZ 152-4

A timely strong innings from New Zealand, with Neesham hitting a pair of fours as they take 11 from the over.

His opening boundary was the first since the 20th over.

34th over NZ 141-4

A sensational over from Wood, who adds five dot balls to his dismissal of Taylor.

James Neesham arrives at the crease to partner Latham, who ends the over on 11 from 20 deliveries.

WICKET Taylor 15 lbw Wood

Far from ideal for the Black Caps!

Wood traps Taylor lbw off the first ball of the 34th over and, with Guptill having squandered New Zealand’s review earlier in the innings, there is no reprieve. Replays suggest the ball would have cleared the stumps.

33rd over NZ 141-3

New Zealand take seven from Stokes’ second over and will now need to begin building the run-rate once more to set England a challenging target.

32nd over NZ 134-3

England stick with Rashid for an eighth consecutive over after the drinks break and the spinner continues to offer Latham and Taylor little to get their teeth into, restricting them to four.

31st over NZ 130-3

Ben Stokes takes on bowling duties, suggesting his earlier injury scare was a false alarm.

He concedes four runs from his first over.

30th over NZ 126-3

New Zealand have now gone 10 overs without finding the boundary and Rashid limits them to three runs from the 30th over with another solid display.

Adil Rashid in action against New Zealand
Adil Rashid in action against New Zealand (John Walton/PA)

29th over NZ 123-3

Plunkett is beginning to steal the show and he is on course for a maiden over until Latham steals a single off the final delivery.

28th over NZ 122-3

Rashid restricts Latham and Taylor to four runs from the 28th, as New Zealand look to recover the momentum that has been checked by the loss of both Williamson and Nicholls.

27th over NZ 118-3

The wicket comes from the penultimate delivery of an over in which New Zealand add four runs and Tom Latham comes to the crease.

WICKET Nicholls 55 b Plunkett

Nicholls’ day is soon over, however, with Plunkett again doing the damage as the batsman found his stumps via an inside edge.

Plunkett has taken the key wickets of both Williamson and now Nicholls.

26th over NZ 114-2

Nicholls brings up his 50 off the first ball of the over, driving Rashid to long-on.

He finishes the over on 52, with Taylor on five from 12 deliveries faced.

25th over NZ 109-2

Plunkett delivers another fantastic over, conceding just a single from Nicholls.

Liam Plunkett claimed the wicket of Kane Williamson
Liam Plunkett claimed the wicket of Kane Williamson (Nick Potts/PA)

24th over NZ 108-2

New Zealand take five from Rashid’s fourth over, with Nicholls moving to within two runs of making his ninth one-day international 50.

23rd over NZ 103-2

England really needed that wicket and Plunkett gives away only a single to make it an even sweeter over for the hosts.

Ross Taylor comes to the crease following Williamson’s dismissal.

WICKET Williamson 30 c Buttler b Plunkett

How important could that be?

Williamson appears to be hitting his stride but Plunkett is convinced the Black Caps skipper nicked his fourth delivery of the over on its way through to Jos Buttler.

Morgan asks for a review, which concludes that the ball did indeed clip Williamson’s outside edge. Out.

22nd over NZ 102-1

England have rarely threatened since claiming the early wicket of Guptill. Rashid does, at least, restrict New Zealand to four in the 22nd.

21st over NZ 98-1

New Zealand make it 28 runs from four overs, but it could have been more had Rashid not intercepted Nicholls’ shot to deep third man before it reached the boundary.

20th over NZ 91-1

Rashid’s first ball of the over is swept for four by Williamson as New Zealand steadily increase the run rate with yet another seven-run yield.

England could do with a wicket to break this settled partnership and prevent the momentum from building further.

19th over NZ 84-1

Another seven-run over carries the partnership of Nicholls and Williamson past the 50-run mark. The pair are on 40 and 17 respectively.

18th over NZ 77-1

Adil Rashid’s first over sees New Zealand pick up at least a single from every delivery as they finish with seven for the over.

17th over NZ 70-1

Nicholls moves on to 33 with a single off Wood – his previous best in this tournament was 28 in the semi-final.

Williamson, meanwhile, has picked up a slice of Cricket World Cup history…

16th over NZ 68-1

A brief moment of concern for England as Stokes appears to be moving gingerly in the field.

He’s OK to continue, but perhaps one to keep an eye on.

Ben Stokes appeared to be moving uncomfortably
Ben Stokes appeared to be moving uncomfortably (Tim Goode/PA)

15th over NZ 63-1

Mark Wood concedes eight runs from his first over, including Williamson’s first boundary of the match, which hooked to fine with a possible connection off the glove.

14th over NZ 55-1

Nicholls finds the gap with a flick to the backward square leg boundary off the final delivery, giving the over a lift from a New Zealand perspective.

Henry Nicholls made a solid start for New Zealand
Henry Nicholls made a solid start for New Zealand (John Walton/PA)

13th over NZ 47-1

Williamson has to make do with just a wide from Woakes as New Zealand add just one in the 13th.

12th over NZ 46-1

Nicholls takes six runs from Plunkett’s first over, taking his personal tally to 21 for the innings so far.

11th over NZ 40-1

For the first time in the past five overs, the Black Caps add more than two runs.

The bulk of their seven-run haul comes courtesy of a Nicholls boundary, struck to the left of backward point off a short and wide Woakes delivery.

10th over NZ 33-1

Williamson finally gets his first run on the board from his 12th delivery faced, but the progress remains slow and New Zealand will want to pick up the pace soon.

9th over NZ 31-1

New Zealand dash for a quick single, but it almost results in a run out for Nicholls.

Had Jason Roy been a touch more accurate with his throw from mid-off, Nicholls could well have been in danger of being sent back to the pavilion.

Williamson still yet to score.

8th over NZ 30-1

Williamson hit 67 in the semi-final win against India but, but he is making a slow start at Lord’s.

Despite facing eight deliveries so far, the skipper is yet to register a run.

7th over NZ 29-1

Another strong over from Woakes, who – on top of claiming the wicket of Guptill – only concedes a single from Nicholls.

WICKET Guptill 19 lbw Woakes

A length ball from Woakes catches Guptill out as he looks to drive through mid-off, striking him on the back leg.

Guptill is given out and the decision stands on review, bringing captain Williamson to the crease.

6th over NZ 28-0

Archer puts one on Nicholls’ pads but it was outside leg stump, with the black caps adding four.

5th over NZ 24-0

A useful over from Woakes, who restricts Guptill and Nicholls to a single apiece.

4th over NZ 22-0

Guptill shows signs of hitting his stride, knocking the final’s first six over third man before finding the boundary once more two deliveries later, sending the ball back past Archer for his second four.

3rd over NZ 10-0

Henry Nicholls then survives on review after being given out lbw from the third ball of the following over.

Tracking shows the ball would have cleared the stumps, earning Nicholls a reprieve.

2nd over NZ 8-0

England think Jofra Archer has claimed the final’s first wicket, believing Guptill to have been caught behind off the fifth delivery of the over.

Morgan opts against the review and replays suggest he has made the right call, with the ball appearing to have made contact with the hip area rather than the bat.

1st over NZ 5-0

Woakes opens with a wide outswinger before the first runs off the bat come courtesy of a boundary, with Guptill’s outside edge sending the ball beyond Ben Stokes at backward point.

PLAY

Martin Guptill opened the batting for New Zealand
Martin Guptill opened the batting for New Zealand (Nigel French/PA)

We are under way in the World Cup final, with Chris Woakes opening the bowling to Martin Guptill.

10.39

The teams are out for the anthems and there are plenty of well-wishers on social media from the world of cricket and beyond.

10.31

Morgan was not disappointed at being asked to bowl first.

“No, not at all,” he said. “It was a 50-50 call. It’s always difficult here at Lord’s. With the overheads I’d probably lean towards a bowl, but it doesn’t really bother me.

“I think the two teams, whichever plays well today will lift the trophy at the end of the day, so it’s a big challenge for us today playing against an in-form New Zealand team.”

10.25

Explaining his decision to bat first, Williamson said: “If you look at the surface, I think it’s a bat-first surface, but then you look up above and it brings in a bit of confusion.

“But at the same time we are here in a final and it’s important that we do the job first up with bat in hand.”

10.15 New Zealand win the toss

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and has decided to bat first.

That follows the trend of the tournament but also offers England the chance to replicate the brilliant start they made with the new ball against Australia.

The hosts have named an unchanged XI for the fourth game in a row, meaning Liam Plunkett retains his place in a seam-heavy attack at the expense of spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali.

Their opponents have also kept faith with their semi-final winning side, Henry Nicholls having passed a fitness test.

WELCOME TO TODAY’S LIVE BLOG

England face New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s, where both teams are looking to win a maiden title.

Eoin Morgan’s side booked their place in the showpiece with a thumping win over Australia, while New Zealand’s stunning bowling performance saw them overcome India in the other semi-final.

Overnight rain means the start has been delayed by 15 minutes, but this final will soon be under way.

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