Six or five runs for Ben Stokes? Overthrow controversy in last over of World Cup final
One of the biggest turning points of the World Cup final humdinger between England and New Zealand was the overthrow on the fourth ball of the final over bowled by Trent Boult.
Needing nine runs from three balls to win their first-ever men’s World Cup crown, England were handed an unlikely lifeline when a Martin Guptill throw bounced off Ben Stokes and raced to the third man boundary. The English all-rounder, who had played the ball to deep midwicket and had dived to complete a second run, had not made any deliberate contact with the ball and despite his repeated apology to the New Zealand players, the overthrow runs were bound to be counted.
The only question was whether five or six runs should be added to the England total and after considerable deliberations with his colleague, umpire Kumar Dharmasena signaled a six – four runs for overthrow and two ...
No Pakistani included in World Cup 2019 team of the tournament
There were a few star performers in Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup 2019 campaign but neither of them delivered consistently in the tournament.
And that fact was aptly illustrated in the ICC World Cup 2019 team which was announced by the International Cricket Council on Monday following Sunday’s pulsating finale featuring England and New Zealand.
There wasn’t a single Pakistani player in the World Cup team which is captained by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, who was named player of the tournament despite his team’s loss in the final.
Players like Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam did shine in the World Cup but neither of them could really help Pakistan reach the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the World Cup team is largely formed by players from Sunday’s dramatic final at Lord’s. Six of them have made the elite list.
England, who won their maiden World Cup ...
Djokovic leads Federer 2-1 in Wimbledon final
Novak Djokovic is one set away from a fifth Wimbledon title after winning another tiebreaker against Roger Federer in the men’s final.
Djokovic leads 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 (4).
Federer has yet to face a break point in the match and had a set point with Djokovic serving at 5-4 in the third, but sent a backhand return wide.
In the tiebreaker, Djokovic jumped out to a 5-1 lead and clinched the set when Federer netted a forehand.
Federer is looking for his ninth Wimbledon title, while Djokovic is after his fifth.
This is the pair’s third meeting in the title match at the All England Club. Djokovic won both of those previous matchups, in 2014 and 2015.
Federer, who is 37, is going for his 21st Grand Slam trophy overall on Sunday, while the 32-year-old Djokovic is playing for his 16th.
They have played each other 47 times already, with Djokovic holding a 25...
