Top 5 cricketing moments of 2019

#2. Ben Stokes' Headingley Miracle

Ben Stokes lets out a roar after Headingley knock

Months after Perera’s legendary knock, England’s World Cup hero Ben Stokes produced a similar epic on a grander scale. The Ashes. England had been rolled over for an embarrassing 67 in the first innings at Headingley. Chasing 359 for victory, they were down and out at 286 for 9. Stokes was stranded on 61 when last man Jack Leach made his way to the crease.

The England all-rounder then decided to completely take matters into his own hands, and produced an astounding innings that drew comparisons with Ian Botham’s 149 in 1981 at the same ground. Stokes and Leach featured in an incredible last-wicket stand of 76, with Leach’s contribution being 1 from 17 balls. Stokes’ unbeaten 135, featuring eight sixes and 11 fours, coming close on the heels of his World Cup exploits, made him a greater hero in England.

#1. Pulsating World Cup Super Over

A heart-broken Martin Guptill

The manner of England’s victory at Lord’s in the World Cup final will always remain a subject of ridicule, coming as it did via an incomprehensible boundary count rule. However, it must be noted that England and New Zealand combined to produce one of the greatest World Cup finals ever.

After Stokes’ incredible 84 not out from 98 balls, which included the contentious four overthrows, ensured the final went into the Super Over as both sides finished with 241, the greater drama was in store. Stokes and Jos Buttler came in for the Super Over. Both got a boundary each off Trent Boult as England posted an impressive 15 on board.

Archer, in his maiden World Cup, was handed the responsibility of bowling the Super Over, in other words, of winning the World Cup for England. Out of form Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham walked out to bat for New Zealand. Archer began with a wide, and a six from Neesham over the deep midwicket boundary, as the bowler missed his yorker, made it seven from four.

Neesham picked up five runs from the next three balls, leaving Guptill the task of getting two off the last ball. Archer angled one into the pads, which Guptill clipped towards deep midwicket. Guptill and Neesham had to come back for the non-existent second. Jason Roy fired the throws straight at Buttler, who dislodged the stumps, with a diving Guptill well short. The Super Over was tied, but it was heartbreak for Kiwis and ecstasy for England as the boundary count rule declared them World Champions.

In a fairer sense though, there was no winner as both the sides were incredibly and, equally, magnificent.