Legends react as ICC's 'more boundaries' rule to decide World Cup winner stirs controversy

New Zealand scored 241/8 after winning the toss and opting to bat at the Lord's. England's run chase ended at 241, all out off the last ball of the match. The game went into the super over where both the teams scored 15 and tie stood as it is at the end of 12 balls. ICC's rule says that in case super over too fails to break the tie then the team that hit more boundaries (fours and sixes combined) will win the game. The hosts won the World Cup as they hit 26 boundaries as compared to 17 by the Kiwi batsmen. The entire cricket fraternity wished England for winning their maiden World Cup title and also expressed their displeasure on Twitter for ICC's rule of considering more boundaries a legitimate measure.

A game that ebbed and flowed from the 1st ball to the 612th!

Feel for New Zealand 🇳🇿 who did everything that England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 did and still fell short.

Congratulations to England.#CWC19 #NZvENG @ECB_cricket @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/FlEJb0NfId

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 14, 2019

New Zealand had many fans in India and today they have won many more, by their calmness and spirit.

Kane Williamson , smiling after the tie. Beautiful to see #CWC19Final pic.twitter.com/tW9cecqAGh

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 14, 2019

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

Congratulations @Eoin16 and each member of the team for becoming the champions 2019 #WorldCupfinal #champions #WINNER @ECB_cricket 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏆 pic.twitter.com/NZXDzTpMmy

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 14, 2019

Special mention to @benstokes38 .. What a story .. What a incredible comeback from adversity .. He won’t know yet but over the years will understand how many kids will be trying to play exactly like him .. #CWC19

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 14, 2019

Lot of love and respect for this team..absolutely winner of hearts which is bigger than the cup.. chin up guys.. @BLACKCAPS ❤️🖤💛💚💙 pic.twitter.com/mOVluexsuU

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 14, 2019

My heart goes out to Kane Williamson and @BLACKCAPS. But congratulations for playing with dignity and class. You made a lot more friends and did your country proud.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 14, 2019

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

Amazing day of sport, have to say both teams were a credit to our game! What a final, congrats to #England #englandcricket #CWC19

— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) July 14, 2019

Unbelievable scenes at Lords cricket grnd. Cricket 🏏 has emerged as a real Winner. Congratulations 2 @ECB_cricket on winning d first @cricketworldcup ever. Heart goes 2 @BLACKCAPS They hav given there all in this tournament @StarSportsIndia @ICC

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) July 14, 2019

England are a boundary hitting team...NZ are accumulators. In the end, the new brand of English cricket came to their rescue. More boundaries. Investment of four long years paid off...on the biggest night. Well done, England. #CWC19 #EngvNZ

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 14, 2019

Unbelievable finish. Best finish imaginable to a world up final. Congrats to England on their first. Well played to both teams really for the theatre.

— ian bishop (@irbishi) July 14, 2019

In the end it was more boundaries that could separate the two teams. Congratulations England, Heart goes out for New Zealand. Will take a long time sinking in #EngvsNZ

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 14, 2019

England are the World Champions!

Exciting World Cup final

New Zealand was just an inch short

Both the teams should be really proud of their effort

What an amazing game it was! #CWC19 #ENGvsNZ

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) July 14, 2019

OH MY GOD!

What a match for a World Cup Final.

This is as good as a trophy shared.

Match tied, super over tied, England wins on more boundaries hit. Wow. Great scenes at Lords. #ENGvNZ #CWC19

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 14, 2019

Neither Team deserved to lose that .. What a day for Cricket .. that is how it inspire a new generation of cricketers .. #CWC19

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 14, 2019

What a FINAL... feel bad for @BLACKCAPS well done @ECB_cricket. Have no words. 👍👏👏

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) July 14, 2019

What a match it was. Thriller, absolute thriller!!! Congratulations, England! New world champions! Well deserved! #CWC19Final #ENGvNZ

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) July 14, 2019

Cruel!

— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) July 14, 2019

Congratulations to England!

Commiserations New Zealand.

I’ve got to say that it’s a horrible way to decide the winner. This rule has to change.

— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) July 14, 2019