MELBOURNE, Australia — New Zealand whetted the appetite of the world for an underdog victory at the Cricket World Cup but couldn’t conjure the last and longed-for victory, losing Sunday’s final by seven wickets to Australia.
The story of New Zealand’s unbeaten progress through the world tournament to reach its first final enriched the Cup and charmed the cricket world, yet its ending was anti-climactic. Fans won over by the achievements of a team which played with boldness, with a sense of fun and of sportsmanship not always seen in a modern professional game, watched Sunday as their hopes and New Zealand’s were crushed as Australia collected a fifth title.
Instead, it was Australia captain Michael Clarke, playing his last one-day international, who made 74 to appropriate the dream finish.