NZ World Cup final defeat 'devastating'

New Zealand showed "a lot of heart" in their "devastating" World Cup final defeat by England, says captain Kane Williamson.

With both sides scoring 241 from their 50 overs, the final was decided on a super over, and the Black Caps failed to beat England's score of 15.

Defeat was New Zealand's second in successive World Cup finals after losing to Australia in 2015.

"It just wasn't meant to be," said Williamson.

"I want to thank our side for the fight they showed throughout this entire campaign.

"Both sides showed a lot of heart. To go down to the last ball, it's tough. It's devastating."

Williamson was named player of the tournament after scoring 578 runs in 10 innings.

In a tournament in which New Zealand's batting has rarely fired, Williamson was the key man in many of their victories - and they came within one run of a famous win on Sunday.

"New Zealand are a great cricketing nation," former England captain Michael Vaughan told Test Match Special. "What they bring to the game in terms of hard work, togetherness, smartness.

"They get the best out of themselves - and that's a lesson for everyone."

'Tough to swallow'

After scoring 241, New Zealand had reduced England to 86-4 with some clever bowling on a slow pitch.

However, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler put on a 110-run partnership, and a fortuitous throw that ricocheted off Stokes and went for four overthrows was ultimately decisive in forcing a super over.

Left-arm seamer Trent Boult bowled well in the super over and Jimmy Neesham hit a six to move New Zealand within touching distance of the title, but Martin Guptill was run out from the final ball to confirm England's win on most boundaries scored.

"While the emotions are raw, it is pretty hard to swallow," said Williamson. "The rules are there at the start.

"No-one probably thought they would have to sort a result by some of that stuff."

Guptill and Neesham, the two batsmen sent out to play the super over, were consoled by the England players as they fell to their knees at the conclusion and the team were greeted warmly by the crowd at the presentation.

Asked at his post-match news conference whether he thought "everyone should be a gentleman like you" Williamson laughed and replied: "Everybody is allowed to be themselves, and everybody should be a little bit different as well.

"That is probably my best answer - just be yourself and try and enjoy what you do."

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226 comments

Indian fan here. What a match.

After India lost to NZ, I thought NZ fluked it out and didnt deserve to be in the finals. I completely take back my words. Never seen such a gritty team. NZ and England played great - Just feel they should have shared the cup.

Kane Williamson - take a bow - You are the new captain cool.

You may have missed the cup but you and NZ will be remembered forever.
The real winner today is cricket. Another winner is sportsmanship. When Stokes was caught, but Boult’s foot slipped onto the boundary and Guptill immediately signalled 6, I could not help but think that was a moment of immense sportsmanship. Stokes and his accidental deflection for four bonus runs was followed by a genuine apology. Cricket and sport the definite winners tiday.
You’re a class act Kane, a credit to your country and fine ambassador to the great sport of cricket, keep your head up you did New Zealand proud
Cannot help but admire Kane Williamson for refusing to bemoan his luck and accepting defeat by the finest of margins so gracefully. A great game - but sorry someone had to loose.
When Boult fell over the line but tried to keep the ball in Guptill signalled a 6 immediately

Not sure I can name any other sport where this great gesture would happen so spontaneously

Well done and thank you

NZ always play the game the right way and have a captain/players of whom to be proud.
Kane represents everything good in sport! A real gent!!
Its little consolation but many Englishmen will feel bitter-sweet tonight because of how you and your team conduct yourselves. Winners in all but the trophy graving
I apologise on behalf of decent humanity for the previous 2 posts, but commend Kane Williamson and his team for their part in today’s game. I don’t think they got the rub of the green today, but that’s sport sometimes. Hope they go on to have success in the future.
What a gentleman Kane Williamson is.

Feel so sorry for New Zealand but the rules wrong or right are the rules.

As for #1Darren from Devon, take no notice of him, he's always putting silly little comments up, and he is NOT a Manchester United fan.
That pathetic rule was in place long before the World Cup started so I don't understand why you think NZ were robbed
Eng fan here: Although I’m ecstatic to have seen England win, I’d like to pay tribute to Williamson and the whole NZ side.

They’ve been tremendous throughout - overcoming a very good Indian side and then taking it right down to the wire today. KW’s captaincy and his personal contribution have been immense. What a gentleman in the face of such a difficult defeat. A true credit to the game.
I suppose there has to be some kind of mechanism to separate tied teams, but we (England) didn't actually win. The game was tied. The super over was tied. Can you have two winners? Congrats to NZ, who also deserved to win.
Agree with the vast majority of posts re Kane Williamson and he and his team's outstanding sportsmanship, and although happy England won, would have been more happy if, at the end of the super overs tie, England and NZ were announced as joint winners.
I'm English, but lived in NZ for 6 years, and although we take the win, I wouldn't dare gloat about it!

Williamson is a typical example of a great country full of decent fun people!

I hope you win it next time!
Top top bloke that Kane Williamson.
Absolutely over the moon at England winning! Absolutely gob smacked by the best game of cricket (possibly any sport?!) ever! Absolutely humbled by the magnanimity of the Kiwis! What a game! Shame it goes down to most boundaries, but not the England players ‘fault’. Privileged to have watched that match.
Kane Williamson and his team are absolute role models. I'm English so it's great we won, but I wouldn't have minded one bit if NZ did it. As it was, they were so extremely unlucky.... that overthrow deflection off Stokes' bat made the difference.
Not really a cricket fan but saw the interviews after and that man is a credit to his country.
Top match that, find it strange the losing team actually took more wickets and lost, BUT under very unusual circumstances to tie after 50 overs then still tied after the super over pretty rare scenario I guess, England obviously winners in the end BUT sport and sportsmanship the big winners in my eyes,
An outrageously exciting game to watch! Although England picked up the trophy - deservedly as they won by the rules - I will always consider this match to have been drawn by any reasonable consideration of the events that took place. So for me, this World Cup is shared by England and New Zealand.