It was a year ago when the England Cricket Team made his history and claimed their first-ever 50 over World Cup title after beating New Zealand by virtue of a contentious boundary count-back rule after the scored of both the teams tied after a thrilling super-over. The final of World Cup 2019 is still regarded as one of the most thrilling showdowns ever.
Recently, it was revealed that the star all-rounder of England cricket team Ben Stokes had sneaked off for a ‘cigarette break’ in order to calm his nerves ahead of the memorable Super Over during the last year’s epic World Cup final, as per an anecdote written in a new book on England’s triumph.
Yes, you read that right. Ben Stokes, who won the Man of the Match for his unbeaten 84, plus eight runs in the Super Over, actually took a cigarette break amidst the greatest finals of the cricket history.
Well, on the first anniversary of the thrilling world cup final, excerpts from the book ‘Morgan’s Men: The Inside Story of England’s Rise from Cricket World Cup Humiliation to Glory’, recently, revealed how Ben Stokes handled all the pressure that he felt on that day at Lord’s. The excerpt read:
“Finding a quiet spot as the frenzy of the Super Over approached was hard in a ground packed out with 27,000 supporters and television cameras following the players from the middle, through the Long Room and up the stairs to the dressing room,”
“But Ben Stokes had played at Lord’s many times. He knows every nook and cranny. As Eoin Morgan tries to bring calm to the England dressing room and sort out their tactics, Stokes nips off for a moment of peace.
“He is covered in dirt and sweat. He has batted for two hours and 27 minutes of unbelievable tension. What does Stokes do? He goes to the back of the England dressing room, past the attendant’s little office and into the showers. There he lights up a cigarette and has few minutes on his own.”
