'Ben Stokes is still my hero'
With one over to go, England were favourites for the World T20 crown, but with West Indies needing 19, Ben Stokes conceded four sixes in four balls. That prompted an outpouring of support for the dejected Stokes.
Carlos Brathwaite was gracious after the victory:
"Ben Stokes is an absolute legend in his own right. You shouldn't forget what he has done for England in the past couple of months. Cricket is a cruel game, and a lot of people can be on him, but just remember Stuart Broad was hit for six sixes by Yuvraj [Singh], and his career has gone on the up ever since. To Ben, tough luck last night, commiserations to you and the England team. Wish he has a long and successful career ahead of him. "
England captain Eoin Morgan also had kind words for Stokes.
"[Stokes] is going to be devastated, and it'll take its toll over the next couple of days, but we share everything that we do, we stick together as a side, we share the pain, we share the success, now and in the future. "
Just a hiccup, @benstokes38! Happens to all great players who put their hands up under pressure! You are a STAR! Braithwaite take a bow!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) April 3, 2016
The bravery is putting the ball in your hands to bowl the last over @benstokes38 ... #Respect
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 3, 2016
Part of the learning curve @benstokes38 ..you'll still go on and become a great of the game in all formats #classispermanent
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) April 3, 2016
Much like when Stuart Broad got Yuvraj'ed in 07 Im willing to bet Ben Stokes goes on to do some pretty amazing things on a cricket field too
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) April 4, 2016
@benstokes38 top man
— Darren Gough (@DGoughie) April 3, 2016
Your the man pal,next time it's yours
@benstokes38 is still my hero !! @englandcricket pic.twitter.com/JC12MX5l39
— andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) April 3, 2016
2 things. England played very well to get here. And @benstokes38 is a superstar stop heaping s%&t on him. You have no idea what bowling 1/2
— Tim Bresnan (@timbresnan) April 3, 2016
2/2 the final over in a world cup final is like. The team as it is now will dominate world cricket for a long while. #believe
— Tim Bresnan (@timbresnan) April 3, 2016
Anyway gutted for the England boys but well played WI, very good one day side. Also @benstokes38 is an absolute superstar #simples
— Graham Onions (@BunnyOnions) April 3, 2016
Amazing wow !!!!! Hard luck England well played West Indies Ben stokes keep your chin up boy hard lines #WT20Final
— Phil Tufnell (@philtufnell) April 3, 2016
Stokes also took to Twitter to acknowledge the support he received.
Overwhelmed by all the support of everyone after a disappointing last over.....So proud to of represented my country in a World Cup final...
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) April 3, 2016
To everyone who has supported us thank you very much you've been awesome...congrats to the West Indies on winning a great final
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) April 3, 2016