<p>New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum on Sunday said they might not have won the World Cup but they played a good brand of cricket and walk away with their heads held high.<br /><br />Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets with 101 balls remaining at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here to clinch the sport's ultimate prize for the fifth time.<br /><br />"Didn't lift the trophy but no regrets. The brand of cricket we've played and we walk away with our heads held high," McCullum said at the post-match presentation ceremony.<br /><br />"It's the greatest time of our lives and that's how we tried to play the game, with a free spirit and heart. Still think we can be very proud of our achievements in this tournament."</p>.<p><br />The 33-year-old said that Australia played better cricket and deserved to win.<br />"We ran into an outstanding team in Australia. They continue to set the standard. Michael Clarke bows out on a high note, they deserved to win," McCullum said.<br /><br />After opting to bat, New Zealand were reduced to 39/3 in the 13th over but Grant Elliot (83) and Ross Taylor (40), with a 111-run stand for the fourth-wicket, brought the Black Caps back into the game.<br /><br />However, from the 36th over onwards, Taylor's wicket, when New Zealand were at 150, spelled a collapse as the Kiwis were bowled out for 183 with the last seven wickets falling for only 33 runs.<br /><br />"Probably unfolded not as planned but we got ourselves back in the game at 150/3. With 180, you still dare to dream, could have ended up differently with a couple of things going our way," he said.<br />"It's been one hell of a ride for us, right the way through... we played some outstanding cricket."<br /></p>
<p>New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum on Sunday said they might not have won the World Cup but they played a good brand of cricket and walk away with their heads held high.<br /><br />Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets with 101 balls remaining at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here to clinch the sport's ultimate prize for the fifth time.<br /><br />"Didn't lift the trophy but no regrets. The brand of cricket we've played and we walk away with our heads held high," McCullum said at the post-match presentation ceremony.<br /><br />"It's the greatest time of our lives and that's how we tried to play the game, with a free spirit and heart. Still think we can be very proud of our achievements in this tournament."</p>.<p><br />The 33-year-old said that Australia played better cricket and deserved to win.<br />"We ran into an outstanding team in Australia. They continue to set the standard. Michael Clarke bows out on a high note, they deserved to win," McCullum said.<br /><br />After opting to bat, New Zealand were reduced to 39/3 in the 13th over but Grant Elliot (83) and Ross Taylor (40), with a 111-run stand for the fourth-wicket, brought the Black Caps back into the game.<br /><br />However, from the 36th over onwards, Taylor's wicket, when New Zealand were at 150, spelled a collapse as the Kiwis were bowled out for 183 with the last seven wickets falling for only 33 runs.<br /><br />"Probably unfolded not as planned but we got ourselves back in the game at 150/3. With 180, you still dare to dream, could have ended up differently with a couple of things going our way," he said.<br />"It's been one hell of a ride for us, right the way through... we played some outstanding cricket."<br /></p>