_d.png "Independence Day 2025")
"I didn't actually know that," Stead said. "But at the end of the day the umpires are there to rule. "They're human as well, like players, and sometimes there's a mistake but that's just the human aspect of sport
New Zealand coach Gary Stead
'We didn't lose'
Skipper Kane Williamson pointed out his team was not defeated on the pitch, saying it instead fell victim to "fine print" in the rules. He said that was a shame but the New Zealanders had signed up to the rules that governed the tournament. "At the end of the day nothing separated us, no one lost the final, but there was a crowned winner and there it is," he told Newstalk ZB. The New Zealand captain and his teammates have been widely praised for the grace with which they accepted the gut-wrenching defeat. "Williamson has shown sports fans and elite athletes alike how to behave with humility, how to accept heartbreak," stuff.co.nz columnist Kevin Norquay wrote.
"You don't need to smash your equipment, yell at the umpire, or swear at and threaten rival batsmen, even with the stress of a World Cup on your mind; this news will be foreign territory to some." There have been calls in New Zealand to give the team a ticker-tape parade, regardless of the result. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that was unlikely but she wanted to ensure that the players received "a heroes' welcome" when they returned to the country. New Zealand Cricket said they were in discussions with the government about when that would take place. "At the moment, however, with some players arriving back at different times, some not arriving back at all, and others having alternative playing commitments, it's just not practical," they said. "Hopefully, given the interest surrounding this, we can organise something appropriate in the weeks to come."
Catch up on all the latest T20 news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
