Ben Stokes took a ‘cigarette break’ before 2019 World Cup final Super Over

Ben Stokes was one of the very reasons why England managed to win the World Cup for the first time. He was stupendous throughout the tournament and he didn’t flatter to deceive even in the final against New Zealand at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. He was unbeaten on 84 off 98 when the game agonisingly went into the Super Over at the Home of Cricket.

Despite flurry of wickets at the other end, he held his nerve in the crunch moments. Even in the one-over eliminator, he played Trent Boult with expertise. However, amidst all the stupendous performances, Stokes had his moments of anxiety and worries as well. Hence, in order to release some of the pressure, he resorted to a ‘cigarette break’ before the Super Over.

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.

Ben Stokes knows every nook and cranny at the Lord’s

“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.

The 29-year-old Stokes went on to become the Player of the Match after his knock in the mandatory 50 overs and eight runs in the Super Over. The one-over eliminator was eventually drawn and England edged past their opponent on boundary count. Jason Roy and Jos Buttler combined to run Martin Guptill out, bringing the curtains down on the tournament.