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'This was the greatest sporting final in my lifetime': readers react to England’s Cricket World Cup victory

Telegraph readers shared their reactions to England's Cricket World Cup victory - AFP
Telegraph readers shared their reactions to England's Cricket World Cup victory - AFP

​England won the ​Cricket ​World Cup​​ on Sunday in the most dramatic of fashions after a thrilling match against New Zealand was decided by a super over. This was England's fourth appearance in a World Cup final, the last coming in 1992 when they were beaten by Pakistan. But this year and on home soil, in arguably the sport’s most dramatic match ever, England came out on top.

​Nearly eight million people tuned in for the spectacle (the largest UK TV audience ever for a cricket match) and for many it will go down as one of the greatest matches the game has ever seen. Today, thousands of fans have taken to The Oval in London to celebrate the win - but how did Telegraph readers react? Read on for the best comments on England's extraordinary victory. Remember to share your own views in the comments section below.

'The most exciting game of cricket ever seen'

@Eileen Priestley 

The most exciting game of cricket ever seen and for once England were the winning Team. Congratulations to all involved. So good to have something to cheer about at last, let's hope the recipe for success can be shared with other British sports people, we could do with more successes to lift our spirits right now.

'We should have won it comfortably but New Zealand played a superb match'

@Anthony John White 

For once, the rub of the green goes England's way. We should have won it comfortably but New Zealand played a superb match out batting and out bowling England, they should have won really. But, hey, how many times have we seen England deprived of victory by bad luck and some really dodgy refereeing. Fortunately, the video refs got it right this time.

As for the rules? Well, they were not made by the English. I would have thought that if a team had bowled out another team for the same score then that team, in this case NZ, should win. But, it was the International Cricket Board which made the rules so, there you go.

Well done, you noble, noble English. You beat the best teams on the way, so in the end you were worthy winners and, for once,'Lady Luck' smiled on you, and you deserved it!

'NZ played magnificently and took their cruel defeat with such good sportsmanship'

@Will Commonsenseprevail 

Whilst giving credit to England for battling through, let us give more to an NZ side that played magnificently and took their cruel defeat with such good sportsmanship and character.

In the end, the better team in the tournament and in general over recent years won. That the final was so enthralling and ultimately exciting was a bonus.

'Gripping match and spectacular finish'

@Reggie Perrin 

The exhilarating climax somewhat obscured the fact that the pitch was not the correct one for a WC Final.  It certainly did not allow England to play to their strengths.

At least no one can accuse Lord's of preparing a pitch to favour the home team. That pitch was ideal for NZ's style of play.

A fast bouncy, high-scoring wicket would have seen England walk it. They are miles better than NZ on the majority of one-day pitches.

Gripping match though, and spectacular finish.

'If this does not get more children into cricket, nothing will'

@Mark Corbluth 

The tournament started slowly. Then improved. ODI cricket can be too one sided but you couldn't write the script for the final. Too far fetched. Existential brilliance that only live sport can sometimes produce. Cricket is the greatest of games by some distance. If this does not get more children into cricket, nothing will.  Well done England. Amazing!

'Lots of people think the least wickets conceded should have been the determining factor'

@Anthony Sutcliffe 

The outcome of the game has to be taken in context of the rules under which it is played. Lots of views that the least wickets conceded should have been the determining factor. Maybe that should be the case, but that's not the rule that applies in this tournament which all teams were well aware of. Do we think Stokes would have been taking on those 2-run options which resulted in 2 run-outs if the rules had been based on the number of wickets conceded? Of course not!

England are World Champions. We had some luck for sure, but having a clinical understanding of the rule book and applying it during high pressure situations is a valid and important part of winning. Such fine margins (plus some luck) are what make the difference in such encounters. That's what Champions do.

'Every other England side faltered under the pressure and you stood tall'

@Chris Emblen

I loved Botham's Ashes as a youngster. I never thought 2005 would be surpassed but chapeau, England, the performance, the resilience, the talent, the sheer brilliance of this campaign will live with us forever.

Every other England side faltered under the pressure and you stood tall. Amazing.

'Both team made this a truly great one day match'

@Moe Skeeto 

What made this a truly great one-day match apart from the superb, incomparable cricket were both teams. England for many, many reasons for sure but all credit to the demeanor and sportsmanship of the Kiwis. Privilege to watch them and England compete at the peak of the one-day game with such class.

'I can state without doubt that it was the greatest final of sport in my lifetime'

@vincent johnson 

I am an avid NUFC fan, and love football, but having watched the last enthralling two hours of this magnificent game, I can state without doubt that it was the greatest final of sport in my lifetime; and I am 57. Magnificent. Brilliant. Awesome. Well done England!

'England were gracious in their victory'

@Lib Erty 

The New Zealand cricketers can hold their heads very high. They have shown themselves to be an example of how sportsmen and women should behave on and off the pitch.  They are a credit to their nation. England too were gracious in victory, understanding that they won by only the very slimmest of margins. Nonetheless they showed great resilience every time the game swung in New Zealand's direction.  Hats off to both to teams.

'Hearty congratulations to both sides for such a memory-making match'

@George Thompson

What a wonderfully talented and hard working bunch of lads the Kiwi team consists of - even when a couple of their star members underperformed, they provided the stoutest of opposition which the best white-ball English team ever only just managed to beat. Hearty congratulations to both sides for such a memory-making match that will be repeated on TV many many times!

'This game really showed sportsmen at the top of their game'

@Adam Seddon 

I don’t even like cricket, but some games really show sportsmen at the top of their game. That was one of them.

Amazing do-or-die attitude from England, with a gutsy faith in the youth of the team.

New Zealand played their hearts out too, well done lads.

'Both teams deserved to win'

@Baz Baddams

Congrats to England for being declared the winner but honestly, after both teams flogging their guts out for 100 overs, to have the World Cup decided by one over, after which it was still a tie, so let's count the fours!

It feels hollow but I'd be reticent to say that England 'won' it, rather than being awarded it on a countback. I know that England supporters won't mind how they got there but why couldn't there be joint winners or a replay of the game? Both teams deserved it.

'England were good for the win but New Zealand were their equal'

@Bilbo Baggins 

New Zealand were outstanding both on the pitch and off it. England won by the thinnest of margins and if truth be told it came down to a single throw of the ball. England were good for the win but New Zealand were their equal and can be proud of themselves and their achievements. The Black Caps have gained many fans during the course of this World Cup.

'It was a wonderful advert for a wonderful game'

@Christopher Warren 

As an England supporter I am thrilled that we won but I’m also thrilled at the fact that it was a brilliant game of cricket played with true sportsmanship.

How easy it would have been for Williamson to complain about their ill luck or the playing regulations, but he didn’t, and for all the millions of TV watchers including children up to 14 who have never seen live cricket on TV one can only say it was a wonderful advert for a wonderful game.

'We learned that New Zealand are a class act'

@David Clarke 

You learn a lot about a team when the going gets tough. And we learned that New Zealand, even at the receiving end of the cruellest of margins, are a class act. Bravo New Zealand, we salute you. Every Kiwi, and every fan of cricket, should be very proud of their achievements. We hope to see you back soon.

'I and all England supporters applauded New Zealand'

@graham tanker

Greatest admiration for a great all round team. As a full blooded England supporter I, and all England supporters, applauded their true grit and sportsmanship on a day where it could of gone their way.

It is not patronising to say we all felt for those guys who gave everything, it just means we value great sportsmen who deserve the best accolades.

Well done New Zealand!

'Well done to both teams for a fantastically entertaining game'

@Elizabeth Kirkby 

What an incredible finish - I don't think I have any nails left! Well done to the whole England team, and especially for Jofra Archer in holding his nerve when it really mattered.

Also well done to both NZ and England for such a fantastically entertaining game of cricket.

'England did very well indeed to dig deep and win this match'

@Michael Robson 

One of the most dramatic matches I have ever seen, outstanding entertainment. The pitch was not easy to bat on, no complaints about that, which made NZ's total better than it looked initially. NZ's bowling was outstanding. England did very well indeed to dig deep and win this match because the NZ bowlers made it very difficult. NZ must be wondering how they could bowl so well and still lose.

So who was England's player of the tournament?

It has to be Ben Stokes. He turns up when England really need him and, as we saw today,  Stokes balanced aggression and control, attack and restraint, to perfection, under the most extreme pressure.

What did you make of England’s historic win against New Zealand? Tell us in the comments section below.