Liam Plunkett Revels In Being England’s ‘Lucky Charm’

London: Liam Plunkett has become England’s lucky charm — and even when they looked dead and buried, the seamer knew they were destined for glory.

On Sunday, England became the champions for the first time in the history of the World Cup — after a thrilling final victory over New Zealand at Lord’s.

Ben Stokes’ heroics rescued a chase that looked all but over and then performed more miracles in the Super Over alongside Jos Buttler.

The Black Caps then fell agonisingly short in response, and Plunkett ended this World Cup unbeaten — England’s three group-stage losses had happened with Plunkett left out of the XI. After the four-year journey under captain Eoin Morgan that has taken them to the top of the world, the 34-year-old believes destiny has played its part.

“The old lucky charm thing, I was riding with it! I was hoping the coach thinks that so I can get a game,” he said.

“What a day, it’s been a long journey! I played against Ross Taylor in the first World Cup I played, and now in the blink of an eye, I am playing him at Lord’s.

“I don’t believe in the stars and all that stuff, but it was the first time that I felt: ‘This is meant to be’.

“We have played together as a group for the last four years and we have played different countries and we have dominated teams.

“I just felt we did deserve it as a bunch of guys. We are good mates but we also work hard. Everyone else does but I felt it was meant to be.

“Especially when those overthrows went, that changed the tide.”

Plunkett was selected way back for the 2007 World Cup as a young tyro, but since has had to bide his time with long spells in the international wilderness.

But after this watershed moment on free-to-air TV — he hopes the first Ashes winning team of 2005 that inspired a nation have been replicated 14 years on. IANS

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