By Chris Robertson, news reporter
Theresa May lifted the cricket World Cup with skipper Eoin Morgan as she welcomed England's heroes to Downing Street.
The victorious team posed with the beaming prime minister before heading to the No 10 garden for a celebratory drinks reception after Sunday's historic World Cup win.
And addressing the England players and staff, she told them: "The final was not just cricket at its best but sport at its best – courage, character, sportsmanship, drama, incredible skill and even the odd slice of luck…
"All combining to create a real thriller, one of the great sporting spectacles of our time.
"It was a fitting end to what has been a great tournament – and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in once again making our country a sporting showcase for the world."
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Earlier they met fans at The Oval to hail "one of the best games of all time".
The squad showed off their new silverware as they walked out at the central London ground in front of hundreds of fans.
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England won the World Cup in stunning fashion, taking it to the last ball of a super over to snatch victory from the Black Caps.
Speaking to Sky News, England captain Joe Root said the drama of the finale made it "one of the best games of cricket of all time".
He said: "We just wanted to enjoy the moment… it was so much hard work and you go through so much as a group, you've got to make sure you enjoy the experience."
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Root added that he hoped the triumph would inspire a new generation of cricketers.
"You can't ask for a better advert than yesterday's game, it's probably the most exciting game that I've ever been involved in or witnessed… it is a great way to inspire a nation," he said.
Jofra Archer was entrusted to bowl in the super over that sealed the win for England, and the 24-year-old said he was grateful that captain Eoin Morgan put his trust in him for the last six balls.
"He (Eoin Morgan) knew, even without me saying – I had to go and double check and say 'Morgs, am I bowling?' and he was like 'yeah yeah yeah' so its nice to know that he trusts me when there's so much riding on it," he said.
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