New Zealand end up as the tragic hero

How good a team you are is determined by the way you fight against the top teams in world cricket rather than bashing the lower-ranked sides and earning the number one tag – the bubble of which bursts after meeting the harsh reality. To be regarded as one of the top teams you have to show the intent of a Cornered Tiger and even if you lose the battle, earn the respect of everyone for displaying the courage to punch above the weight.

In one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in world cricket – Australia and New Zealand logged horns and while the local television channels in Bangladesh stopped showing the match for the sake of the contest between Bangladesh and Holland at Kolkata – New Zealand showed everyone why they are regarded as one of the most dangerous teams in world cricket.

No over-hyped players. No big stars. No so-called cult individuals. No Kings. No freedom fighter. No craze to gain a political shelter at any cost. No hunger for sponsorships - but consists of a bunch of passionate blokes, who enjoy the most whenever they take the field.

The Kiwis bowls according to the merit of a wicket. Field with the fullest of energies. And, boy, these Kiwis can bat and put chills down the spine of opposition – at Dharamsala, the Australians, not for the first time, experienced the fighting nature of New Zealand who fell short by just 5 runs in a crazy 771-run thriller that is part of Cricket world Cup’s folklore.  

Travis Head returned to the team and played shots as if he was never injured and never out of the team.  Head essayed a stunning 59-ball century as he and David Warner clubbed 118 runs in the opening powerplay and shared a staggering 175-run opening stand to help Australia post 388, becoming the first side in ODI history to post three consecutive 350-plus scores.

New Zealand replied in a positive fashion led by Rachin Ravindra, who became the first batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to notch up two centuries before the age of 25 in a Cricket World Cup. Daryl Mitchell added more meat to the run chase but Australia struck and at one point the Kiwis lost their way – stepped up Jimmy Neesham, who unleashed clean but cultural hitting that put New Zealand on the track of creating history.

 43 runs were needed off 18 deliveries and two wickets in hand for New Zealand – Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood missed their marks.

Trent Boult got some personal redemption for 2019 when Marnus Labuschagne stood on the rope at long-on to hand him six runs.

Starc was needed to defend 19 in the last over with only four men outside the circle because of Australia's slow over-rate. He delivered five wides in the second ball and the target was reduced to 13 off 5 – Starc dished out his lethal yorkers as Neesham failed to connect properly while the Australians sweepers made staggering saves before Labuschagne and Josh Inglis combined to run out Neesham off the second-last ball – memories of Lord’s Final in 2019 returned.

Lockie Ferguson could not finish the task and another World Cup classic was added to the archives with New Zealand as the tragic hero.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar