With the above out of the way, this article will be about my appreciation of New Zealand cricket and the disappointment that still lingers in the fact they are not the 2019 Wolrd Cup champions. Yes, the West Indies are my team and what a fall from grace they have had, but I have always had a soft spot for New Zealand and are my second team. In fact the only person associated with NZ cricket I didn't like was Fred Goodall, google him and you will see why. Yes, Lou Vincent was a disappointment but we all have them in life.
As NZ are a small nation and never had a huge talent pool to choose from. They have had to be innovative and use the resources they have to maximise their potential which they have dome over time. Yes, they've had such world class players as Glenn Turner, Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe, Shane Bond and now Kane Williamson, but it's the lesser lights, the more eccentric characters like Tony Blain, Chris Martin, Willie Watson and the like that I always remember fondly.
The Tournament
It was an interesting tournament for the Black Caps, barring Kane Williamson none of their other batsmen were consistent, this put pressure on their bowling attack and which for the most part were magnificent during the event Boult, Henry, Ferguson who I hope he plays some Test cricket and Santner with the all rounders chipping in. Guptill as excellent as he was in the field was hopeless with the bat in this event, but there were others. The fielding on the other hand was world class.
NZ started well, faded a bit and got in on net run rate. It's not their fault Pakistan decided to get bowled out for just over 100 against the West Indies. They went into the semis like they were there just to take part, we all heard India was going to win before they stepped on the pitch. Astute leadership from Williamson, fine bowling and maximum self belief got them over the line in that one.
2nd best match of the tournament
NZ consoling disconsolate Braithwaite
They learned from the 2015 final experience and most of the cricketing world were wanting the underdogs to win the final barring English fans. What can be said about the final, it was dramatic, tense and these are the facts a low to middle scoring one day game is a lot better than the 350 plus slugfests where the bowlers might as well be rodeo clowns.
Final
I thought NZ were about 15-20 short before England batted. There were some curious decisions in this game, still don't know how Erasmus missed the height on the lbw for Taylor, then the Shane Watson review from Guptill. did not help matters Roy should have been fired first ball, that's the thing in any sport where there is an overwhelming favourite the underdog has to take all their chances and the rub of the green has to go their way.
As the cliche goes it's a game od small margins and it was in this case. The last over with Stokes and that six that rolled around the ground which should have been a 5. Will the ICC look at that rule. It was a tie after 50 overs and after the Superover, so a tournament played every 4 years is decided on boundaries scored. That's just not cricket and the same would be said if New Zealand won the event, It's a rubbish way to decide things, especially with someone so major on the line. The ICC are a joke in breaking news night follows day.
The most admirable thing about this devasating result for New Zealand, no they did not lose, was the way they handled themselves in defeat. When they win they don't gloat and go overboard. The Black Caps don't need the slediging nonsense and ugliness unlike Australia. They play the game hard but fair, compete very hard, lead admirably by Kane Williamson and it's easy to see why they are admired by their countrymen and neutrals alike.
NZ didn't win the title but these guys win at life and deciding major finals in this manner is just not cricket.
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