Cricket World Cup 2019: McCullum lauds New Zealand for their poise in handling Lord's final defeat

Sport360 staff 17:21 20/07/2019
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  • Former Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum (r).

    Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum had praised the Black Caps for the character they displayed after losing the 2019 ICC World Cup final to England on boundary count.

    McCullum, who himself had faced heartbreak in the final with New Zealand in the 2015 edition, believes the poise with which Kane Williamson’s men handled the Lord’s defeat is commendable.

    “Yes, it would’ve been lovely to have been a World Cup champion, but I’ve always said the game doesn’t define you but it’s the person and character you are,” McCullum told stuff.co.nz.

    “I was so pleased with how our team handled that loss, also the success throughout that tournament.

    “It’s a bit different but I thought they’ve handled themselves magnificently in the aftermath of that result (final).”

    The 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s was one for the ages with the clash going down to the Super Over for the first time in the tournament’s history. The madness continued in the ensuing Super Over which also finished in a tie but it was the Kiwis who ended up on the losing side due to their inferior boundary count compared to England.

    While many have questioned the decision to decide a World Cup trophy based on the two teams’ boundary count, McCullum believes the Kiwis will learn to live with the defeat with time.

    “That’s the thing and it’s going to be so difficult for those guys,” said McCullum.

    “I was lucky enough to be with them in the changing room and they were pretty broken, that’s for sure. They were also really proud of what they did and how well they played.

    “Over the coming months and years, whilst it’s still raw now, they’ll understand just how magnificent that spectacle was. And for it to happen on the biggest of stages, to have played the hand that they played in that match is absolutely amazing.”

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