A decent show from New Zealand
Looking back at New Zealand's performance in the World Cup Logan Savory Logan in the Southland Times writes that though New Zealand lost in the semi-final, they got the tactics and attitude right during the majority of their World Cup games,
Nitin Sundar
25-Feb-2013
Looking back at New Zealand's performance in the World Cup Logan Savory Logan in the Southland Times writes that though New Zealand lost in the semi-final, they got the tactics and attitude right during the majority of their World Cup games, including the semifinal.
Following the World Cup I'm a lot happier with what I see from the Black Caps. Whether it's the John Wright influence or that they have finally taken ownership and pride in the fact they are playing for their country, I'm not sure.
Jonathan Millmow in the Dominion Post writes that New Zealand showed intent in this World Cup and one gets the impression that John Wright is slowly knocking this team into shape.
Home they all come, heads above water, just. This wasn't a flash NZ side but good coaching and, one suspects, some tough love got them further than we thought possible.
After their recent travails in the subcontinent, New Zealand punched way above their weight to make the World Cup semi-finals. David Leggat, writing for the NZ Herald gives them a pass mark, but senses changes in the near future.
After their stumblings along the ODI road they pulled things together, achieved three wins from five against the major nations, enhanced South Africa's wretched cup record along the way and gave themselves a chance of making the big show at the weekend. They were the only non-Asian team in the last four, did better than Australia, South Africa, England and the wobbly West Indies.
Nathan Astle in the same newspaper writes that New Zealand's inability to adapt their game plan is what cost them a place in the World Cup final.
They probably weren't as confident and attacking as they should have been. The side needed to push on from their quarterfinal performance as you have to lift your game at each stage of a World Cup and they failed to do so.
Nitin Sundar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo