Cricket fans around the world are still recovering from the effects of Sunday’s match, with several visibly upset over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rules awarding a victory to England. Several cricketers, both past and present, took to the microblogging site to express their disapproval of the ICC rules.
“Some rules in cricket definitely needs a serious look in,” tweeted Indian Team Vice-Captain Rohit Sharma.
Some rules in cricket definitely needs a serious look in.
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 15, 2019
Others like journalist and cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle took to twitter to sympathise with the rules, while acknowledging that it might be time to update the boundary rule.
“The easiest thing in the world is to rant about the rules. The most inconvenient thing is to subject your rant to the same rigour you expect from the rule. Maybe it is time to have a discussion over the playing conditions. But remember when the teams are asked if they want any changes, they accept the rules as they are. The counting of boundaries is not a new rule. It has been there for a long time. Remember, before the Super Over, World T20 games were won with players bowling to unguarded stumps!,” he said in a series of tweets.
The counting of boundaries is not a new rule. It has been there for a long time. Remember, before the Super Over, World T20 games were won with players bowling to unguarded stumps!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 15, 2019
While offering his congratulations to England and commiserations to New Zealand, Brett Lee said, "I’ve got to say that it’s a horrible way to decide the winner. This rule has to change.”
Congratulations to England!
— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) July 14, 2019
Commiserations New Zealand.
I’ve got to say that it’s a horrible way to decide the winner. This rule has to change.
"Don't understand how the game of such proportions, the CWC19Final, is finally decided on who scored the most boundaries. A ridiculous rule ICC. Should have been a tie. I want to congratulate both New Zealand and England on playing out a nail biting Final. Both winners imo (in my opinion)," tweeted former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir.
Don't understand how the game of such proportions, the #CWC19Final, is finally decided on who scored the most boundaries. A ridiculous rule @ICC. Should have been a tie. I want to congratulate both @BLACKCAPS & @englandcricket on playing out a nail biting Final. Both winners imo.
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 14, 2019
Mohammad Kaif stated that it’s difficult to digest this boundary rule while adding, "Something like sudden death- continuous super overs till a result is a better solution. Understand, wanting a definite winner but sharing a trophy is better than deciding on more boundaries. Very tough on New Zealand.”
Difficult to digest this more boundary rule. Something like sudden death- continuous super overs till a result is a better solution. Understand, wanting a definite winner but sharing a trophy is better than deciding on more boundaries. Very tough on New Zealand. #EngVsNZ
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 14, 2019
"Congrats England in their first World Cup win... unlucky New Zealand... the Laws or rules of the Tournament need to be looked at! It's a WC Final!!! Another Super over at least!" said Dean Jones.
Congrats England in their first World Cup win... unlucky New Zealand... the Laws or rules of the Tournament need to be looked at! It’s a WC Final!!! Another Super over at least!
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) July 14, 2019
While stating that he doesn’t agree with the rule, Yuvraj Singh said, “But rules are rules congratulations to England on finally winning the World Cup, my heart goes out for the kiwis they fought till the end. Great game an epic final!!!!"
I don’t agree with that rule ! But rules are rules congratulations to England on finally winning the World Cup , my heart goes out for the kiwis they fought till the end Great game an epic final !!!! #CWC19Final
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 14, 2019
At the end of Sunday’s match, New Zealand managed to score 15 runs in the Super Over, which meant they were tied on scores with England. However, the latter were declared winners in keeping with the ICC’s boundary rule. The boundary rule for this World Cup stipulated that the team with a higher number of boundaries would be declared winners in the event that a Super Over resulted in a tie.
(With IANS inputs)