Almost a week after World Cup final, Eoin Morgan doubts fairness of the result

The dust has settled and England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan has an observation to make. Almost a week after the Three Lions beat New Zealand in a thrilling final that was decided by the bizarre boundary count rule, Morgan has said that he did not feel it was fair to have a result like it was in the final of the Cricket World Cup 2019. England and New Zealand had two back-to-back ties – in the scheduled 100-overs game and the Super Over that followed – and the winner was decided only by the virtue of ‘who hit more boundaries’ rule.

The cricketing fraternity was convinced with England’s win and taking note of the controversial conclusion to the title clash, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked its Cricket Committee to review the tie-breaker rule. All that happened while the England team, first-time champions were busy celebrating the epitome of success in 50-overs cricket.

“I don’t think it’s fair to have a result like that when there’s very little between the sides. I don’t think there was one moment that you could say: ‘That actually cost the game there.’ It was quite balanced,” Morgan was quoted as saying by the Times.

“I’m black and white. I’m normally going: ‘I know. I was there, that happened.’ [But] I can’t stick my finger on where the game was won and lost.” Morgan had remarked in the post-match conference that Allah was with England on the said day, July 14.

The match was also influenced by an accidental overthrow that fetched England crucial four runs. A throw from Martin Guptill from the deep hit a diving Ben Stokes’ bat and went for four runs. England’s total was raised by six runs since the batsmen ran two but experts said the on-field umpire had goofed up as the chasing team should have been given five.

Winning doesn’t make it any easier

“I’m not sure winning it makes it any easier. A little bit [troubled], because there’s no defining moment that you’d say: ‘Yes, we thoroughly deserved it.’ It’s just been crazy,” the Irish-born Morgan said.

He also said that he spoke to his opposite number in New Zealand Kane Williamson a few times over the last couple of days and conceded that none of them came up with a rational explanation as to the numerous occasions England gave New Zealand the game and the latter reciprocated.

Morgan also conceded that it was more difficult to be at the receiving end of the outcome.