Looking for revenge
New Zealand will not be lacking for motivation when they take part in this year’s Cricket World Cup. They have been runners-up in the past two events and were especially unlucky four years ago.
The Black Caps have unfinished business as they head into this year’s Cricket World Cup being held in India.
The New Zealand team have been runners-up in the past two tournaments, losing the final to Australia at Melbourne in 2015 and then being cruelly defeated in 2019 by England at Lord’s in a super over thriller after the scores were tied at the end of regular play.
New Zealand batted first and scored 241-8 in their 50 overs. England replied but were all out in their 50 overs, also scoring 241.
A super over followed with both teams scoring 15 runs. However, England were declared the winners on the boundary countback rule having scored 26 boundaries to New Zealand’s 17.
It seemed a cruel way to lose such an important match but those were the rules and the Black Caps had to simply accept their fate.
So the incentive for the Black Caps to go one step further at this year’s World Cup will be huge.
Several Black Caps players who competed in that 2019 final are back, including Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner and skipper Kane Williamson, who has made a spectacular recovery from a serious knee injury.
Williamson is one of New Zealand’s best-ever batsmen and his form will be crucial to the Black Caps’ chances of success.
Did you know?
➤ Australia have been the most successful country at Cricket World Cups, winning five times and finishing runners-up twice.
➤ The top batsman at World Cups is India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 2278 runs over six tournaments.
➤ Australia’s Glenn McGrath is the top bowler, picking up 71 wickets over four World Cups.