England Cricket World Cup final star Ben Stokes: I told myself, ‘don’t try and be a hero!’

England’s Cricket World Cup star Ben Stokes has revealed what was going through his mind during the conclusion of Sunday’s epic final against New Zealand: “Don’t try and be a hero!”

The Durham all-rounder proved to be exactly that, named man of the match for his crucial knock of 84 not out that helped England tie the Black Caps’ score of 241 in the regulation 50 overs, before they won the trophy on boundary count after a super over also finished level.

A century stand shared with Jos Buttler led England’s recovery from 86-4, but when the wicketkeeper departed in the 45th over, Stokes was left batting with the tail, with England still 38 runs short.

He did so magnificently, albeit with plenty of good fortune, to drag England to the brink of victory, needing first three off the final two balls, and then two off one. However, as Trent Boult ran in for his final delivery, the 28-year-old revealed he had no intention risking defeat in pursuit of glory.

In Pictures | World Cup England Cricket players celebrate their win

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“All I was thinking was 'don't get caught’,” Stokes said. “Try and get one and get it to a super over at least. Then if I hit it into a gap maybe get two. That was my process: just don't hit it in the air and get caught.

“It was 'don't try and be a hero and do it with a six'.”

Tailender Mark Wood was run out coming back for the second run that would have won the game, and Stokes admitted he had to compose himself before returning to face the super over, having come so close to sealing victory.

“I wish it had gone for two and hadn't come to that because my emotions were high,” Stokes said. “I wasn't best pleased with myself walking off and back to the changing rooms for that ten-minute turn around.

“I actually had to go and have five minutes to myself in the shower area of the changing room. I was pretty annoyed, angry.

England vs New Zealand Cricket World Cup Final | 14/07/2019

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“I had to get my head switched back on because I knew there was a job out there to do. I was full of adrenaline so I needed to make sure my head was in the right place.”

As the dust settled on a truly epic encounter, Stokes and his teammates were able to reflect on the contest as they celebrated with fans at an event at The Oval on Monday.

“Looking back over that game, I think it will go down in the history books as the best ever,” Stokes said. “With all the drama of a World Cup final. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of.

“Wow,” added opening batsman Jonny Bairstow. “There’s never ever going to be a game like that ever in history ever again. People saying it was free-to-air, it’s this, it’s that. Okay, tell me what it isn’t!”

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