British Prime Minister Theresa May welcomed the triumphant England cricket team to her official residence, No. 10 Downing street, in London on Monday, 15 July, a day after the lifted their country’s maiden World Cup title.
The prime ministers of England lauded their cricket teams' performance in the World Cup, and also thanked them for winning the showpiece and ending a 44-year wait.
"You have helped the nation fall in love with cricket once again," May told the England players at her official residence 10 Downing Street, according to British media reports.
“The final was not just cricket at its best but sport at its best – courage, character, sportsmanship, drama, incredible skill and even the odd slice of luck - all combining to create a real thriller, one of the great sporting spectacles of our time.”Theresa May
Football remains the most popular sport in England, while rugby has a loyal following in New Zealand but cricketers in both the countries have caught the public imagination following the pulsating World Cup summit clash.
In what is being hailed as the greatest World Cup final at Lord's on 14 July, England were adjudged winners on the basis of their superior boundary count – 22 fours – to New Zealand's 17 after the epic final, and the ensuing super over, ended in a tie.
May added, "It was a fitting end to what has been a great tournament – and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in once again making our country a sporting showcase for the world."
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