#CWC15: Brendan McCullum praises New Zealand side after run to World Cup final

Joy Chakravarty 02:18 30/03/2015
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  • Disappointed: Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum (c) felt his side failed to match the Aussies who raised their level in the final yesterday.

    If Brendon McCullum was disappointed that the extraordinary journey of his New Zealand side did not culminate in the ultimate glory of winning the World Cup, he hid it very well behind a commendable show of dignity, grace and humility, all of which seem to come naturally to the Kiwi captain.

    Speaking to the media after losing the 2015 World Cup final to Australia by seven wickets in front of 93,013 people at Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday, McCullum said on the day, the Australians were just too good for them.

    “Tonight’s performance, obviously somewhat disappointing, but at the same time Australia played better,” said the skipper, whose dismissal in the first over proved ominious.

    “It came down to one game. We gave ourselves that opportunity in this tournament with so much on the line, and ultimately Australia stepped up and they were too good for us on the night. It’s a credit to them that they were able to do so on a big occasion.

    Brendan McCullum trudges off following his World Cup final dismissal.

    “I’m really proud of the guys. I thought the way that we played throughout this tournament, the brand of cricket that we have played, the way we have entertained people left nothing out there in terms of the character and attitude on the field. 

    “It’s been one hell of a ride and something that we will remember for the rest of our lives. It would have been great to get the silverware but it wasn’t meant to be, but I think what we were able to achieve in this tournament will last for a long time.

    “The friendships we have created, the experiences we have had, and the people that we have been able to inspire throughout the tournament is something that we are really proud of. It’s never nice running second, but sometimes you have got to doff your cap to the winner.”

    McCullum refused to divulge details of any New Zealand players planning to call it a day after the World Cup, including Daniel Vettori or himself, and he had a pretty good reason for it.

    “There may be guys within our group who will retire,” said the 33-year-old, the second most experienced player in the squad after Vettori, 36.

    “But we will let the dust settle on this one, and we certainly won’t look to grab any headlines over the next couple days because they belong to Australia and they have earned the right to do so.

    “We will be gracious in defeat and then we will work a plan over the next couple days for the some guys who may look to retire. But yeah, I think it’s the right thing to allow Australia to bask in the glory of their success.”

    McCullum felt that the key moment of the match was when Australia came back well and restricted New Zealand to 183 after Grant Elliott and Ross Taylor had taken them to 150-3 in the 35th over.

    “It was a convincing win in all honesty. But hey, if we played them tomorrow, who knows what the result may be, but on the occasion, they stepped up and they delivered,” said McCullum.

    “I thought they obviously put us under early pressure, took three early wickets against, and then we re-gathered at 150-3, they came again at us. All credit to them to be able to grab those key moments.

    “There were times I felt as if we were still in the game, even with 183 on the board. Whether that’s my eternal optimism or some realism about the wicket and the fact that runs were on the board.

    “What were they, 60-2? There were a couple of things which may have gone our way, then the game may have panned out differently.”

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