It was a historic day in the lives of the New Zealand cricket fraternity which waited 46 long years (New Zealand participated in its first-ever World Cup in 1975) to become a World Champion in any format of the game. And what format they chose to do so! the purest of them all. They defeated India by eight wickets in Southampton to be crowned the first-ever World Test Champions in the game’s 124-year-old history. Their skipper, Kane Williamson, as always trod carefully on his words to describe the greatest moment in his country’s cricketing history by calling it a ‘very special feeling’.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, the 30-year-old complimented his team for showing a great fight in the rain-marred game to eke out a result in their favour. “The heart our team showed to get across the line in this great Test match. I've been part of [NZ cricket] for a short while, it's a very special feeling, the first time in our history we've come away with a world title,” he said.
The Blackcaps skipper has always been referred to as a team man and he made sure that the name stuck to him as he thanked all the 22 players who were a part of the team’s two-year journey to this greatness. “We've had 22 players over the last two years, and they've all played their part and the support staff and the guys who played this match, it's a special achievement to be savoured,” said Williamson.
It was after two back to back losses in the ODI World Cup Finals that New Zealand finally made it a third time lucky. “A couple of close ones [in ICC finals], nice to get one under the belt,” the skipper said on this victory. “I'd like to thank Virat and the Indian team, they're an incredible team, we know how much of a challenge it would be,” he added.
Stressing upon the point how New Zealand is devoid of global stars which other big nations like India, Australia and England have the Tauranga born Kiwi captain lauded his team for showing heart in tough conditions against strong India.
“We know we don't always have the stars, we rely on other bits and pieces to stay in the game and be competitive. We saw a lot of heart and commitment to our style of cricket in this game, we know how strong this Indian side is, in all conditions,” he said.
Willaimson also praised the wicket for its nature and how even in hardly four days’ of play, it was able to produce a result. “It was a very sporting surface, and having only four days' cricket, there was always a chance of a result,” he said.
At one point in time, when New Zealand lost both their openers in quick succession and Indian spinner Ravichandran Aswin was looking threatening, it was senior man Ross Taylor who steadied the Kiwi ship alongside Williamson. The duo added an unbeaten 96 for the fourth wicket to see their team home. Williamson praised the 37-year old for his commitment.
“Ross is very experienced and very calm in those sort of situations, it was nice to be in partnership with Ross and be there at the end,’ he said. Taylor made an important 47* while Willaimson notched up his first fifty of the game, having missed out in the first innings by getting out on 49.
It was the last game for New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling and he once again showcased why he is respected so much by his teammates and all Nee Zealand cricket fans, as even after a dislocated finger, he kept on keeping.
Speaking on his commitment, Williamson said, “I don't know if he's retiring anymore, actually [chuckles]. He's a special member, a leader in our group, and really epitomises our team.” The 36-year-old South Africa born Watling had decided to call it quits after the WTC Final. He is now the most capped Kiwi wicket-keeper and also has the most runs, dismissals and highest individual score for a wicket-keeper batsman in New Zealand’s history.
Describing Watling’s journey and how this win encapsulates it, Williamson said, “A scrappy performance, which is close to his heart, because he's a scrappy player. A great occasion to celebrate, a great game of cricket, and obviously a great career which we'll celebrate."