Undoubtedly, the World Cup 2019 finals had everything. The tournament that witnessed England lifting the trophy, thanks to Ben Stokes and his fine knock that helped the team to get past New Zealand by a small margin.
However, Ben Stokes had moments of anxiety and was nervous before the super over. He had to take a cigarette break to keep himself calm.
The revelations were made on a book named, ‘Morgan’s Men: The Inside Story of England’s Rise from Cricket World Cup Humiliation to Glory’ on the anniversary of the Brits’ triumph last year.
“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,” authors Nick Hoult and Steve James wrote on stuff.co.nz.
“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,” the excerpts from the book read.
Well, it did turn well for Stokes as England won the most dramatic finals ever.
CSA Super League, match 3, Starlights vs Coronations – Starlights win by 2 runs