Online bookmakers GentingBet have refunded losing outright bets on New Zealand winning the Cricket World Cup after a controversial end to the tournament on Sunday.

England beat New Zealand courtesy of scoring more boundaries as a tense final finished level after a Super Over apiece at Lord’s.

Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler managed 15 runs in the Super Over, which was then matched by New Zealand.

But the hosts claimed World Cup victory courtesy of the obscure rule — and it has divided opinion among the cricket fraternity.

Bookies Refund ‘Losing’ Bets

Given the freak nature of New Zealand’s loss, GentingBet have declared that they will refund all pre-tournament bets on New Zealand winning the Cricket World Cup.

The Kiwis were big outsiders to win the competition for a first time earlier this summer.

A spokesperson for the British bookmaker said: “Of course we’re proud of England and everything they’ve achieved, but our hearts go out to New Zealand for the cruel manner of their loss. It’s a series of bad luck that stopped them lifting the trophy.

“Their players showed great sportsmanship in the wake of that defeat and for that reason we’ve decided to honour pre-tournament bets to customers who backed New Zealand to win the tournament.”

Meanwhile, Australian bookmaker Sportsbet have gone one step further by refunding all losing New Zealand bets, whether placed before or during the tournament, branding the England victory an “absolute disgrace” after it was decided on boundaries.

"Punters who backed New Zealand in both the head to head and the outright tournament market will be refunded their stakes in bonus bets,” said Sportsbet spokesperson Rich Hummerston.

"Let's not beat around the bush, for a World Cup to be decided in that manner is an absolute disgrace, and the punters shouldn't have to pay for the ineptness of the ICC.”

The bookmaker has refunded 11,458 bets to the value of AUS$426,223 (£238,000, €265,000, US$298,000).

New Zealand Took More Wickets

New Zealand had been as far out as 12/1 (+1200) with the best cricket bookmakers to win the Cricket World Cup before a ball was delivered. But the Black Caps shone in the UK and ousted favourites India in the semi-finals.

They scored 241-8 in their 50 overs before that tally was matched by England — although the hosts lost 10 wickets.

Yet the final was decided on boundaries, rather than wickets taken, after a gripping end to the tournament in London.

Ashes Series Under The Spotlight

Australia play England in the Ashes later this summer and the series is expected to be a tense affair, with cricket now at the forefront of many sports fans’ minds.

British bookmakers Coral have shifted England’s price from Evens to 4/5 (-125) to win the Ashes after their heroic display in the final.

Australia remain around 9/5 (+180) on other sportsbooks to win the Ashes series.