Following a Six Nations Grand Slam and an improbable comeback victory against Germany, English fans have had plenty of reasons to be optimistic in the arena of international sport of late. Sadly, that has now dissipated following a collapse by their cricketers against West Indies in the World Cup T20 final in India.
England began extremely well, posting 155 for nine, and were in an extremely favourable position at the end, with English bowler Ben Stokes having six balls to ensure that West Indies batsman Carlos Brathwaite make fewer than 19 runs. Astonishingly, Brathwaite proceeded to make four consecutive sixes of as many balls to hand West Indies a dramatic victory.
VIDEO: the moment #CarlosBraithwaite hit the final of his four consecutive sixes. The #WI are T20 #WorldChampions pic.twitter.com/eKK1ptH7io
— Abka Fitz-Henley (@AbkaFitzHenley) April 3, 2016
An astonishing achievement by Braithwaite. But which was it down to, Braithwaite brilliance or a Stokes choke?
Genuine question: Was that amazing batting, or terrible bowling?
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) April 3, 2016
The consensus seemed to be with the latter:
Ben Stokes has the look of a man who has lost the world cup. Poor guy.
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) April 3, 2016
Terrible last over from Stokes, every ball in the slot, but he is a brilliant cricketer and he will win games for England in the future
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) April 3, 2016
Let’s give England credit where it’s due. We’re the world’s best at inventing sports.
— Dave Phillips (@lovefutebol) April 3, 2016
I just wish England, in all sports, would get rid of this bottling gene. The heartache...
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) April 3, 2016
Amazes me how England find new ways to lose in different sports. Each one more ridiculous than the last.
— Rich Laverty (@RichJLaverty) April 3, 2016
Full time cynics and part time cricket fans join the bandwagon to heap criticism on Ben stokes 🙄 #WT20
— Stuart Fagg (@stuart_fagg) April 3, 2016
Poor Stokes. Oh, we almost forgot:
Obligatory Piers Morgan Watch When England/Arsenal Encourage Him To Tweet Confidence Before Eventually Collapsing
Cometh the last six balls, cometh the Stokes. #T20WorldCupfinal
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 3, 2016
Noooooooooooooooooo!
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 3, 2016
Noooooooooooooooooooo! (2)
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 3, 2016
Noooooooooooooooooooooo (3)
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 3, 2016
Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!! (4)
Greatest hitting, under intense pressure, I've ever seen.
Take a bow, Mr Braithwaite. #T20WorldCupfinal— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 3, 2016
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