Cricket fraternity calls for change after New Zealand's heart-wrenching loss

New Delhi: Cricketers, current and former, shared New Zealand's pain on losing the World Cup title on boundary countback with tournament top-scorer Rohit Sharma asking for a "serious look" into the rule, which was slammed as "absurd" by several former players.

In a pulsating encounter on Sunday night at the Lord's, England was adjudged the winners of the World Cup on the basis of their superior boundary count - 22 fours and two sixes -- to New Zealand's 16 after the epic final, and also the ensuing Super Over, ended in a tie.

"Some rules in cricket definitely needs (sic) a serious look in," tweeted Rohit on Monday. Rohit amassed 648 runs in the tournament, including five centuries, before India were knocked out in the semifinal stage.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir, who is now a parliamentarian, lambasted the ICC for the "ridiculous" rule.

Gambhir's former teammate Yuvraj Singh also disagreed with the rule.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris called the ICC a joke.

"Nice work @ICC ... you are a joke!!!," he wrote.

Indian spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi was also scathing in his criticism of the ICC rules.

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee called for a change in the rule.

"I've got to say that it's a horrible way to decide the winner. This rule has to change," he tweeted.

Former Black Caps all-rounder Dion Nash said he felt cheated after the finals.

"The Cricket World Cup final with 22 heroes and no winner", read a headline as media in New Zealand commended the team and condemned the rules that "robbed" the Black Caps of a maiden title triumph.

"Cricket World Cup final: Boundary countback robs Black Caps of victory", read the headline of an article in the stuff.co.nz.

The headline of the top sports story of 'New Zealand Herald' read: "Any Given Monday: The Cricket World Cup final with 22 heroes and no winner."

"Should England have got five, not six runs for overthrows?" questioned another piece in the newspaper.