AN all-Cumbrian batting partnership saw England across the line as they secured a historic T20 World Cup Final win over Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday.
Liam Livingstone, from Barrow, joined Cockermouth lad Ben Stokes at the crease in the penultimate over after Moeen Ali's dismissal, as England closed in on the target of 138, set by Pakistan who were sent in to bat by England captain Jos Buttler.
Livingstone told the BBC after the match that when he went out to the crease Stokes told him: "let's have two Cumbrians hit the winning runs in a World Cup!"
Stokes was the hero for England once again on the day as he delivered in the fiercest of pressure situations on a bowler-friendly pitch.
England's test team captain anchored a chase of 138 with an over to spare with 52 not out from 49 balls as England became the first men’s side to hold ODI and T20 World Cups simultaneously.
Livingstone managed one run and was at the crease when his fellow Cumbrian knocked the winning run.
England’s 2019 50-over World Cup hero had moments of fortune en route to his first T20 half-century in front of an 80,462-crowd, overwhelmingly made up of spellbound and lively Pakistan fans.
But Stokes banished memories of the 2016 final in stunning fashion, retaining his composure despite the tricky surface and a vaunted Pakistan attack.
England’s victory capped up a brilliant turnaround after the team was beaten by Ireland earlier in the tournament and were in danger of missing out on a semi-final place.
"We had to address it," Stokes said on Sky Sports. "In tournaments, you can't carry baggage with you.
"That was a little blip on the way but the best teams take it on the chin and don't let it affect them. They let it go and move on to the next challenge.
"I feel we have lived up to all the challenges we've had thrown at us throughout this tournament. It's a pretty good evening."
Player of the match and the tournament Sam Curran reflected on Stokes' performance: "He’s someone I’ve always looked up to.
"He always turns up when the team needs him to. There's no question, he's unbelievable. He's the man!"
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