Chris Woakes reflects on the unforgettable day England became World Cup champions, capturing the emotions and chaos that followed the victory over New Zealand on July 14, 2019. As Eoin Morgan lifted the trophy at Lord's, the atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and camaraderie among teammates like Mark Wood and Jason Roy. The celebrations turned the traditionally reserved dressing room into a lively scene of joy and tears, marking a historic moment for English cricket.

After the trophy lift, the squad mingled with the New Zealand players, who graciously congratulated England despite their disappointment. Kane Williamson and his team displayed remarkable sportsmanship, contributing to the day’s positive spirit.

The players embarked on a lap of honor with the trophy, capturing spontaneous moments with friends and family, reinforcing the collective triumph. However, not all moments were ideal; coach Trevor Bayliss humorously distanced himself from the trophy, reflecting his belief that players deserved the glory.

Later that night, the team took to the hotel bar to continue their celebrations, but a midnight curfew imposed by Ashley Giles sparked frustration among the players. Many felt it was an unnecessary restriction after such a monumental victory, especially when compared to the open-top bus parade given to the 2005 team.

As the team prepared for a public appearance the next day, they faced the oddity of celebrating a historic win under a curfew, leaving players like Woakes questioning the ECB’s cautious approach. Despite the restrictions, the joy of their World Cup win lingered, though the missed opportunities for larger celebrations remained a sore point.