ICC World Cup 2019 | England's cricketing greats express excitement on becoming world champions
Ian Botham, Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan have revealed their experience of witnessing England finally lifting the World Cup trophy. All the three legends have represented their country in the mega event in their days and were thrilled to have seen a victorious end to such a suspenseful final.
Eoin Morganâs men on Sunday ended a 44 year wait that has haunted every English player and fan over the years and the former cricketers simply could not contain their excitement after their country lifted the trophy. Legends have come and gone for the nation, but no one has been able to match the achievement of the glorious English side of 2019.
Michael Vaughan was the captain that won the nation itâs first Ashes in 18 years but failed to create much of an impact while leading the side in the 2007 World Cup.Â
âI canât believe what we have just witnessed. The emotions of what weâve been through on air, wow, but what about the players? They gave it absolutely everything. The way England have played for the last four years, they deserve to be world champions. Ben Stokes, heâs a great player. He stepped up when his team needed him. That is the mark of greatness. In five or six yearsâ time, thereâll be kids in the street who were inspired by Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler,â he was reported saying by the Metro UK.
In what was a rollercoaster ride that saw nothing but the boundary count separating the two teams, yet another past English skipper Nasser Hussain was ecstatic after the win. He has gone down in history as one of the countryâs greatest ever batsmen but he also had failed to take the country far enough as captain in the 2003 World Cup.
âI canât believe it. England tied the match and then they tied the Super Over and then they win on count back. You go through seven weeks and it comes down to a bloke trying to dive in to try and win the World Cup. It happens at a World Cup final at home, at the Home of Cricket; youâll never get that again. You feel for the Kiwis. Theyâll never get that chance again. But that was just truly remarkable,â said Hussain.
Having represented the country in what was only the second ever World Cup, Sir Ian Botham had come the closest to lifting the trophy but England ended up losing the final to the West Indies in 1979. The Hall of Fame is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever all-rounders and played in several World Cups, failing to triumph in any of them.
âWhat a great day for English cricket! What a great finale! Spare a thought for New Zealand. Ben Stokes was absolutely magnificent and Jos Buttler supported him brilliantly. Eoin Morgan had lots of faith in his team and that shone through. Jofra is a young man and itâs only a few months ago that people were saying âshould he play for England, would he play for England?â Heâs going to be around for a very long time. He showed a lot of bottle and I think heâll be playing for England for a very long time in all formats,â he was quoted saying after Englandâs victory.
