What should have been a straight forward result has lead to a unnecessary debate. One of the greatest World Cup finals ever witnessed at Lords on Sunday between England and New Zealand finished with no team being a clear winner. Both teams ending on the same score after hundred overs and the match finishing on a tie at the end of the super over led to a cruel end. England lifting the trophy due to a ridiculous rule of more boundaries scored during their innings compared to New Zealand is the worst way that a tournament of this magnitude can end.

Greatest game in cricketing history

In annals of cricket history one would not have witnessed such a brilliant game at a big stage like the World Cup. While England would be celebrating this win one needs to spare a thought for New Zealand. New Zealand team will always remember this final as a game they never lost but a trophy they could never win.

For a man as nice as their captain Kane Williamson this must be a very bitter pill to swallow for New Zealand team and its supporters. No amount of consoling from the winning captain Eoin Morgan can change the inevitable. Lot of talk regarding sharing the trophy coming to light. No team prepares for four years to share the trophy. Certainly not England who have been the best team during this period with the brand of cricket they have played.

ICC needs to change the rules

How could the ICC make sure that the tournament could have ended better. As far as the rules are concerned both teams knew it as they were decided a year back. None would have thought this would happen in a final. What are the changes that can happen going forward.

England would have an edge on two accounts as far as lifting the trophy is concerned . They were ahead of New Zealand in the points table and also defeated them in the league phase. Australia went into the final of the 1999 World Cup after their match against South Africa ended in a thrilling tie. This was because they had defeated South Africa in the league phase. New Zealand on the other hand had lost less number of wickets during the match which would make them favorites to win the title but this rule was scrapped long back.

Options before the ICC

What are the options before the ICC. Tie-breaker or penalty shoot out separate the winner from the loser in tennis or football respectively after a full game is complete. The other options before the ICC are making both teams play another super over. A toss should be a must before the first super over itself rather than the existing situation where the team that chases during the match bats first in the super over. Another option would be to scrap the super over and go back to the old rule of which team has lost fewer wickets at the end of both innings.

Alas its too late as a World Cup has concluded in this manner and one team needs to live with the fact that they had not lost the final but the trophy.