Ian Smith, the former New Zealand wicketkeeper, who called the action during the Super Over in the 2019 World Cup final, said that the gripping climax at Lord’s will never leave him, and that he cherishes being a part of one of the greatest moments in the game’s history.

The words of Smith, who once again commentated during the closing stages of another New Zealand v England thriller that ended in a tie on Sunday, November 10, will forever be etched in cricketing history, as England emerged victorious by boundary count to lift their maiden 50-over World Cup, after neither team could trump the other in actual play or the Super Over.

Reminiscing the epic showdown, Smith told The Guardian: “I’m over the result, but I don’t think I’m quite over the moment. I think about that day at Lord’s quite a lot. It doesn’t dominate my life, but it will never leave me.

“You could commentate on sport your whole life and never get a moment like that. My voice will be there forever, I guess. It’s an honour … I just hope I got it right.”

“I was in admiration of the players, given the pressure they were under. Take Jason Roy. He had misfielded and thrown to the wrong end in the Super Over, but still delivered [he threw the ball to run out Guptill off the last ball of the Super Over to give England the World Cup]. And Jos Buttler at the stumps. I look at it and wonder: did every one of those England players really want the ball in that moment? I don’t know.

“But ultimately, I just thought it was a fantastic game – one for the ages and a privilege to call – and if kids didn’t want to play cricket after that, well, the sport is in trouble. It was the ultimate advert. Pretty good to be a part of, eh?”

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