New Zealand’s delirious run in the World Cup came to a disappointing end with an abject surrender in the final but Brendon McCullum maintained the same poise and dignity that he had shown when his team was knocking off one team after another.
Excerpts from his post-match comments.
What’s your reaction to tonight's performance and the overall performance of the team?
Tonight's performance, obviously somewhat disappointing, but at the same time I think Australia played better. 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. Look, it's a credit to them that they were able to do so on a big occasion. I'm really proud of the guys.
I thought the way that we played throughout this tournament, the brand of cricket that we've played, the way we've entertained people and I guess left nothing out there in terms of the character and attitude on the field.
I think it's been one hell of a ride and something that we'll remember for the rest of our lives. It would have been great to have got 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.
Does the manner of defeat in the final rankle you?
It doesn't rankle me because I think they were too good, and I think you've got to sometimes acknowledge when a team is better than what you were on the day. If we played them tomorrow, who knows what the result may be, but on the occasion, on the day, they stepped up and they delivered. I thought they obviously put us under early pressure, took three early wickets against us, and then we re-gathered. We gave ourselves an opportunity at three for 150, and then they came again at us.
Did you think you had chance to defend 183?
There were times throughout the game I still felt as if we were in it. Even 183 on the board, I still felt that we still had a chance in this game, and whether that's my eternal optimism or some realism, as well, about the wicket and the fact that runs were on the board. What were they, 2 for 60? There were a couple of things which may have gone our way if we were able to get one or two more, then the game may have panned out differently, but it didn't.
What was the pivotal moment of the match for you?
I think the power play … obviously Ross (Taylor) and Grant (Elliott) had formed a really good partnership out there and got us back in the game, 150/3 after 35 overs. Most times in this team would firmly believe that we're capable of 270, 280, if not more. I guess a little bit unlucky for Rossco to get out the way he did, and then we saw Australia, I guess, really bare its teeth and put the hammer down on us. That was probably the pivotal stage.
