Ditto. Was telling my flatmate that the New Zealand vs South Africa match would have made a far more fitting final. Possibly because we won that one.
Australia's streaks ahead of everyone else, especially New Zealand who they only ever give the honour of playing about twice a decade. Ability to show up in a high pressure match like that can't develop in a vacuum which is the major reason the Black Caps fell flat. The ICC is pretty much run in a way that sees India get every advantage so they don't give a shit but I hope this tournament's reinvigorated a bit of the old trans-Tasman cricketing rivalry.
On another topic, this:
Is immeasurably better for cricket than this:
The first picture is Grant Elliott consoling a shattered Dale Steyn after his six off the second to last ball sent New Zealand into the final at the expense of South Africa.
The second is three members of the Australian team taunting Elliott who had just been dismissed for the Black Caps' top score of 83 in a crumbling innings during the final.
Australia has the best cricket team in the world but to a man they are utter pricks. At the end of the day winners are grinners but I'm so very proud that my team acted how they did throughout the tournament. South Africa seem to be following suit as are some other teams and I hope the Australian team will one day let their talent speak for itself and cut out the childish and mean-spirited sledging. It's a relic from the past and shows the worst in sportsmanship in any sport. There's aggression and passion but then there's meanness. Elliott was out, what benefit was there in carrying on that way aside from trying to make him feel bad or just indulging in egotistical posturing.
Brad Haddin said the Australian team was made to feel uncomfortable by the niceness of the Black Caps. Maybe there's hope for them yet. Of course he went onto say that the New Zealanders deserved the sledging for making them feel uncomfortable so maybe not.
