The final curtain
Black Caps denied fairytale finish
THIS wasn’t supposed to be how it finished. Seven weeks of rollicking entertainment, replaced by a below par effort on the day when it counted. It was New Zealand’s worst nightmare realised, the World Cup reduced to a fizzer in front of 93,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
New Zealand were not undone by the boundary sizes, or their first trip across the Tasman – they were simply outplayed by an Australian side operating a level above all their rivals for most of this magical tournament.
Shot out for 183, New Zealand fired a few early bullets with the ball but Australia were home in a canter – by seven wickets and with 16 ⁄ overs to spare.
This was a World Cup final tilted the way of Australia after the first five balls. The one-day game’s two most devastating figures – Brendon McCullum and Mitchell Starc – squaring off at a venue that had to seen to be believed.
McCullum, going at two a ball in the tournament, wanted to take Starc down to set the tone for more of the same from the cup’s great entertainers.
McCullum was on two strikes after his first two balls and something was going to give. His method is not to retreat, though nor did he embark on his familiar journey down the pitch. Rather he played with freedom and was undone by the pace and swing of the giant Aussie.
McCullum’s importance to New Zealand’s cause can not be underestimated for they have played two tough matches and he has been to the fore both times, scoring 50 off 24 balls in the pool game against Australia and 59 off 32 in the semifinal against South Africa.
This was not his day. This was not New Zealand’s day.
The only batsman to emerge with credit was Grant Elliott, a revelation over the past seven weeks and strong enough in the mind and skilful enough with the willow to play his two finest innings in the final week.
Following on from his unforgettable 84 not out against South Africa, Elliott went to another level with a solo hand of 83 under a searching examination from a great pace attack and some serious provocation from Brad Haddin and Co.
There will be post-mortems, but they should be short and respectful of a side and a campaign that has been pretty much inch perfect until the entire cricket world’s eyes set upon them.
Would New Zealand have been better served playing a pool game in Australia to fit them for the final?
Why did Tim Southee and Kane Williamson go off the boil at the business end?
There was almost a fairytale finish for Michael Clarke, the Australian captain overcoming a nervous start to his final one-day innings to hit a sparkling 74, only to fall when just nine runs were required to win.
McCullum has talked in horse racing terms all tournament. Last night his team fell at the final hurdle.