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England are world champions for the first time after beating New Zealand in an epic Cricket World Cup final.

The World Cup final at Lord's went down to a Super Over after both sides tied on 242, with England scoring 15 from six deliveries.

After heroics with the bat from Ben Stokes, England put their faith in Jofra Archer with the ball and won off the final ball as Jos Buttler ran out Martin Guptill.

The teams had tied again in the Super Over but England won after hitting more boundaries over the two innings.

Mirror Sport columnist Stokes was the hero, three years after his heartbreak in the World T20 final.

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“I’m pretty lost for words, to be honest. All the hard work that has gone in over the last four years to get this team to where we are today," he told Sky Sports.

"This where we aspired to be, and we’ve managed to come here and do it – and to do it in such a good game, I don’t think there will ever be a better game of cricket.

there was no chance I wasn’t going to be there at the end – moments like that are what you live for as a professional cricketer. The new kid on the block, Jofra Archer, I backed him all the way – even after he got hit for that six. The talent that guy has got is incredible.”

England had slumped to 86-4 in chase of New Zealand's total with Jason Roy the first to go.

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Lockie Ferguson then took the key wicket of Jonny Bairstow before a stunning catch to dismiss Eoin Morgan.

Stokes and Jos Buttler helped push England forward and their partnership ensured renewed hope among the home crowd at Lord's.

The hosts needed 53 from the final six overs before Buttler was caught superbly by Tim Southee.

Chris Woakes was next to go as England's hopes fell on the shoulders of Stokes, as they chased 24 from the final two overs.

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Liam Plunkett was caught by Trent Boult before the New Zealander caught Stokes, only to touch the rope and a six was given.

The nerves continued to shred when Jofra Archer was bowled for zero, as England required 15 from the last over.

A stunning Stokes six sent Lord's wild before a fielding mishap left England needing two from the last ball to win.

They could only manage one run to tie the match ensuring the final went to a Super Over.

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England were set a target of 242 after three-wicket bursts from Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes stymied New Zealand's bid to set an unassailable total in the final at Lord's.

The all-important scalp of Kiwi captain Kane Williamson was among Plunkett's haul of three for 42, the seamer once again showing his worth to England in the middle overs, while Woakes contributed three for 37.

Williamson's 30 off 53 balls reflected New Zealand's watchful approach as they posted 241 for eight on another tricky pitch, Henry Nicholls overturning an lbw decision on nought to top-score with 55 off 77 deliveries.

Plunkett's key breakthroughs took the headlines though Woakes was the metronome of the England attack, especially early on, and Mark Wood and Jofra Archer turned up the heat - although England gave away 17 wides in 30 extras.

Wood equalled the fastest delivery in the tournament at 95.7 miles per hour while he chipped in with the wicket of Ross Taylor - earning an lbw decision that would have been overturned had New Zealand not earlier burned their review.

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England's fourth World Cup final and first since 1992 drew a crowd of thousands to Trafalgar Square while an estimated six million viewers were expected to watch the showpiece on Channel 4.

Not since the conclusion of the 2005 Ashes have such numbers been seen but this was a slow-burner of an innings from the Black Caps, who defended 239 against India in the semi-final.

The toss was delayed by 15 minutes because of overnight rain, New Zealand deciding to bat first under cloudy skies which rarely parted over the course of their 50 overs at the home of cricket.

Woakes bowled immaculately in his first spell and thought he had trapped Nicholls plumb in front, only for a review to reprieve the batsman, technology showing the ball would have gone over the stumps.

Woakes would make the breakthrough when Martin Guptill was pinned on the back leg, the opener departing for a punchy 19 and spurning New Zealand's review in the process.

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Williamson, with more than 500 runs at an average of 91.33 in this tournament, was the big fish and after a cautious start he gradually grew in confidence, delightfully slog sweeping Adil Rashid over midwicket for four.

Plunkett's cross-seamer accounted for the dangerman but only after a review, Ultraedge showing a nick before going through to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, while Nicholls inside-edged the seamer onto his stumps.

Taylor was ill at ease in his 15 before playing around one from Wood. Had New Zealand been able to review then their veteran batsman would have been able to resume his innings, with technology showing the ball would miss the stumps.

Jimmy Neesham confidently took two leg-side fours in three balls off Ben Stokes to add some impetus but he departed for 19 after tamely chipping another cross-seamer from Plunkett to Joe Root at mid-on.

Colin De Grandhomme (16) and Tom Latham (47) holed out off Woakes while Archer cleaned up Matt Henry in the final over, though New Zealand added 62 in the final 10 overs to reach what looks a competitive total at halfway.