England captain Eoin Morgan lifts the ICC Men's World Cup after his team had beaten New Zealand in a dramatic final at Lord's in London ©Getty Images

England won the International Cricket Council Men's World Cup for the first time after beating New Zealand after the final at Lord's in London for the first time in history was decided by a super over after the match was tied with both teams having scored the same number of runs.

Both teams scored 241 runs in the match and 15 runs each in the super over - but England won their first ever title because they had scored more boundaries in the game.

The 50-over match saw cruel end for the Black Caps - with Ben Stokes hitting a six and then England being awarded six runs after a throw by a New Zealand fielder hit the England man's' bat and went to the boundary.

It meant that the game finished equal and, for the first time in a match of this importance, the super over was employed.

The super over is cricket's equivalent of the penalty shootout in football with each side having one extra over.

England's over at the crease was executed brilliantly, with Jos Buttler and Stokes combining for two boundaries and 15 runs, setting New Zealand the target of 16 runs from six balls to win.

England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler runs out New Zealand's Martin Guptil on the final ball of a dramatic super over to give his side victory in the World Cup final at Lord's ©Getty Images
England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler runs out New Zealand's Martin Guptil on the final ball of a dramatic super over to give his side victory in the World Cup final at Lord's ©Getty Images

New Zealand's over started well, as Jofra Archer bowled a sloppy wide before Jimmy Neesham raced back for a sharp two. 

Neesham then dispatched the third ball into the stands over mid-wicket, and it looked like New Zealand's to lose.

With seven to win from four balls, Neesham took two, then two again, then a single, leaving Martin Guptill the task of hitting two runs from one ball to win the World Cup.

Guptill made good contact, sending the ball sailing out into the leg side, sparking a race between himself and the ball flying back towards his stumps from the outfield ,

Wicket-keeper Buttler broke the stumps, New Zealand finished on 15 runs from its super over and England were crowned champions. 

England's bowlers put in superb performance to set a target of 242 after Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett claimed three wickets each. 

Chris Woakes celebrates one of his three wickets as England restricted New Zealand to a total of 241 runs - a total that his side equalled to set up the dramatic climax to the match ©Getty Images
Chris Woakes celebrates one of his three wickets as England restricted New Zealand to a total of 241 runs - a total that his side equalled to set up the dramatic climax to the match ©Getty Images

The run chase got off to a rocky start as New Zealand demolished England's top order, taking four early wickets.

But Stokes and Buttler put on a 100 partnership to revive the innings, forcing that dramatic conclusion.

"I just tried to take it as deep as I possibly could," Stokes, who scored 84 not out to earn the player of the match award, said. 

"I came to realise the longer I could stay in, the more pressure they'd be under.

"It's an amazing group to be part of, this team is incredible, with the things we've been through together. 

"There's not a group that deserves it more than this. 

"The last four years, this is what we've worked for."

England appeared to be heading for defeat after losing four early wickets until Ben Stokes hit 84 to help them tie with New Zealand and setting up the dramatic super over ©Getty Images
England appeared to be heading for defeat after losing four early wickets until Ben Stokes hit 84 to help them tie with New Zealand and setting up the dramatic super over ©Getty Images

For New Zealand it was their second consecutive World Cup final defeat having lost to Australia four years ago in Melbourne.

"Credit to England, they had a fantastic campaign," New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, named player of the tournament, said. 

"t's been challenging. We showed a huge amount of heart to get to this stage, it just wasn't meant to be today.

"The guys are shattered at the moment - it's devastating, tough to swallow but a fantastic effort from our guys. 

"They fought hard to get us to this stage.

"We would have liked another 10 or 20, the guys worked really hard to put England under pressure on a tough surface. 

"Both sides showed a lot of heart, it was tough to separate us but credit to the winners."