Jimmy Neesham takes a dig at the controversial boundary rule after Italy win Euro 2020 on penalties

The debate over the 2019 Cricket World Cup final will remain as long as the game of cricket exists. The summit clash between England and New Zealand was filled with twists, turns, and several controversies as well. Chasing 242 for victory at Lord’s, the Three Lions were bundled out for 241 and the game resulted in a tie. The Super Over saw both teams scoring 15 runs but England were crowned winners on the virtue of scoring more boundaries.

Although the controversial boundary rule is scrapped now, it cost New Zealand a World title and the Kiwi players were evidently gutted. One of the many Blackcaps players who was disappointed with the result was Jimmy Neesham and the all-rounder hasn’t forgotten the loss yet. On Monday (July 12), the southpaw took a dig at the boundary rule in the context of the Euro 2020 final.

For the unversed, the Euro 2020 final saw Italy and England playing a tie with the scoreline being 1-1. The game advanced to the penalty shoot-out where Italy emerged victorious 3-2 and were subsequently crowned champions. Italy’s triumph in the penalty shoot-out gave Neesham an opportunity to take a jibe at the boundary rule once again.

Jimmy Neesham recalls the final game

Taking to Twitter, he cheekily suggested that instead of a shoot-out, the team who did more passes should be announced winners. “Why is it a penalty shootout and not just whoever made the most passes wins? #joking,” wrote the all-rounder. Fans didn’t take long in cracking that Neesham’s tweet was directed to the rule as the comment section got flooded in no time.

Why is it a penalty shootout and not just whoever made the most passes wins? 👀 #joking 😂

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) July 11, 2021

Notably, Neesham had put up an impressive all-round show in that summit clash. The left-handed batsman scored 19 runs which took the Kiwis to a respectable total. He was also brilliant with the ball in hand. The pacer bowled with precision and took three vital wickets including that of England skipper Eoin Morgan. Neesham even went to bat in the Super Over where the Kiwis needed 16 for victory.

The dasher smashed Jofra Archer for a huge six in the second ball and the New Zealand camp was elated. However, the Blackcaps just fall short of the target and the Three Lions lifted the elusive title at the Mecca of Cricket.