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A stunning tied World Cup final, in which England defeated New Zealand via boundary countback, has ignited debate about the contentious cricket rule.

New Zealand refused to cry foul after losing a tied World Cup final because of their lower boundary count at Lord's, where Kane Williamson enhanced his status as cricket's ultimate gentleman.

An incredible finish in London, where England prevailed despite the scores remaining level after a super over, has prompted calls for administrators to come up with a better way to split finalists in such rare situations.

Former allrounder Scott Styris, among many incredulous Kiwis, described the International Cricket Council (ICC) as a "joke" after the gutting defeat.

England skipper Eoin Morgan was abrupt when asked if it was a fair way of settling the sport's quadrennial spectacle.

"I can't think of an alternative at the moment. The rules are obviously set out a long time ago and we have no control over them," Morgan said.

There are a plethora of alternatives the ICC could adopt in place of a boundary countback - further super overs, replaying a match on the allocated reserve day, or a different metric (or combination of metrics) from the final or overall tournament.

In the case of persistent rain ruining the showpiece, the two finalists would have been declared joint winners.

Australia won a women's Twenty20 World Cup clash with England in 2010, tied after a super over, via a six countback. If that same system was in place on Sunday, the visitors would have won their maiden World Cup rather than England.

But Williamson, who has won no shortage of admirers throughout his tenure as captain of New Zealand, wouldn't bite when asked if boundary countback was a fair resolution to the 48-match tournament that started in May.

"You never thought you would have to ask that question and I never thought I would have to answer it," Williamson said.

"While the emotions are raw it is pretty hard to swallow ... it is what it is, really. The rules are there at the start.

"Someone had to walk away with the title and we're gutted that it's not us. England had a very good campaign and they deserve the victory."

Williamson's gracious words were echoed by teammates Lockie Ferguson and Tom Latham.

"Rules are rules," Ferguson said.

"They're put in place before the comp starts and we're well aware ... that's just how it is.

"That (determining whether the rule should change) is definitely above my pay grade."