Liam Plunkett: "I went straight back to the dressing room and bawled my eyes out"

England’s footballers – in 1966 – and rugby union stars – in 2003 – will be able to advise the cricketers on the comedown after a World Cup win

England’s World Cup party ended a little too quickly for Liam Plunkett, he reflected today.

With seemingly every youngster in Dulwich queuing around the block for his autograph, the 50-over triumph has clearly touched the nation.

The squad had little time to enjoy the moment – we are not talking seven-day Rolling Stones blowouts here – as England’s Test players began to focus on facing Ireland, and the others on appearing for their counties in the Vitality Blast however.

Obviously we are not going back to the distant past, when an England win in Leeds was often followed that evening by an eight-hour journey to Taunton for a county match the next day.

But Plunkett – who took 11 World Cup wickets, including three in the final against New Zealand – admitted: “It was over so quickly. The families were together that night, we had breakfast together. We met with the kids at the party at The Oval and then with a blink of an eye it was gone. It was a little sad, and I felt a bit down.

“We were all feeling emotional spells randomly. I went straight back to the dressing room, and bawled my eyes out. Next day Woody (Mark Wood) was watching a video and suddenly cried his eyes out. I am not sure I will ever have that feeling again.”

England’s footballers – in 1966 – and rugby union stars – in 2003 – will be able to advise the cricketers on the comedown after a World Cup win.

“I was sleeping only four hours a night during the tournament and was on edge. I have had a panic attack in the past, and got anxiety around it. I struggled in certain situations, and have used meditation and yoga, but the ECB and counties are helpful in these situations and give us everything we need.”

Asked if he felt that the ruling that separated England from New Zealand – boundaries scored – was fair, he said: “I wouldn’t change it. I was so happy I honestly haven’t thought about it – nor the overthrow [that hit Ben Stokes and went to the boundary]. We have played the best cricket in the world for the last four years. We have beaten everyone. We did deserve it.”

^{Liam Plunkett took the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson in the final at Lord's}

He admits he was not clear about the ruling as the Super Over played out. “The umpires had explained it but I am not sure I was listening. I felt like I was in the crowd, it was surreal. Morgs knew what was going on. Word must have got around. We just knew we’d won.”

He revealed what happened after the defeat to Australia and the build-up to the must-win group games against India and New Zealand. “After a couple of defeats we knew it was now or never, but deep down I really believed it was written in the stars we’d win, even when Jofra (Archer) was hit for six off the first ball of the Super Over.

“People opened up about how they felt after the loss to Australia. We were put in groups. Jos (Buttler) said 'this group of players makes me excited that we have changed white-ball cricket'.

"Others said how disappointed they felt. I said I wasn’t playing, I’d been dropped, I was frustrated. I am not saying I should have been playing but if I was playing I could change games. As long as you are not giving negative energy off or slagging people off. People were nervous, excited. I think it really helped us beat India. We are always honest but we lost sight of that a little during the World Cup.”

Sports stars often retire after a World Cup, but Plunkett, 34, remains available for national duty.

“I would love to play for England as long as I can. The T20 World Cup is in October 2020. Realistically I will be 38 at the next 50-over World Cup. That might be a push. The keeper would definitely have to stand up. But hopefully the selectors feel I can help some of the youngsters coming through. I certainly want to keep playing for Surrey, especially in T20s in front of packed crowds.”

^{England's only defeats came when Plunkett did not play}

He is glad he has gone straight into Blast action for Surrey, with a sell-out anticipated against Middlesex at The Kia Oval on Tuesday night. “I am glad it is T20 and a packed crowd, with Aaron Finch and AB de Villiers playing, rather than in front of one man and his dog.”

He could so easily have missed out on World Cup glory. He admits he “did not feel a part of the England squad facing Pakistan in Dubai in 2015” but the “ball came out really well again” and he took three for 21 and three for 30 in successive T20Is, persuading him to continue.

It was a good job that he did as he would have missed moments like this – hundreds of youngsters from the clubs in Dulwich queuing down the pavilion steps to have him sign hats, bats... one lad even made him sign his hand.

Wary of causing a stir this time after saying in the World Cup how good it would be to see the final on terrestrial TV – a wish that Sky duly granted by sharing the match with Channel 4 – he said: “I just said it was great for everyone to watch the game in England, in the world. It was one of the best games ever – like a script for a movie.”

Asked about the UK’s domestic 50-over being “downgraded” next summer, he also conceded: “Yes after winning the World Cup it is a little sad. Fingers crossed The Hundred goes above and beyond. I still don’t know the rules. Nearer the time I will speak to somebody. It’s different, and I hope it’s exciting and people come.”

Will he be bowling 10-ball overs for Northern Superchargers? “If I do, I expect there will be a few wides!”

As the interview concluded the ECB told us they plan to capitalise on this World Cup win by doubling primary school participation in cricket. It is an admirable intention but as The Cricketer magazine investigated earlier in the year, much depends on teachers’ willingness to give up their own time, and the Government possibly making cricket mandatory again on the National Curriculum.

The ECB are also keen for five to eight-year-olds to sign up for taster sessions for All Stars Cricket.

Judging by the rock star treatment given to Plunkett in this leafy corner of south-east London, the interest is there.

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