Forgot Most Basic Aspect Of Cricket: Brendon McCullum On 2015 World Cup Final Loss

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum in a recent interview revealed that he does not have any regrets over the Kiwis’ defeat at the hands of Australia in the ICC World Cup 2015.

Fondly renowned by the nickname ‘Baz’, McCullum looked back on the crunching defeat, in New Zealand’s first-ever World Cup final.

After defeating South Africa, the Black Caps played tournament hosts and favourites Australia in the grand finale at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

They were dreaming of lifting the coveted title, but the Aussies instead trounced New Zealand, and McCullum insists that he doesn’t have any regrets of losing the match.

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Brendon McCullum reflects back on New Zealand’s final versus Australia at the ODI World Cup 2015:

The 38-year-old, who announced his retirement after the World Cup, feels that he wasn’t a wee bit nervous, but somehow, McCullum forgot about the basics of cricket in that game. Having been an influential figure in the Black Caps run to the final, their skipper was sent back to the pavilion for a duck, having faced just three balls.

Mitchell Stark provided Australia with the early breakthrough and the rest of the New Zealand batsmen could only muster up a paltry 183 runs in 45 overs.

“You can’t have regrets. It is what it is. I had dreamed that dream so many times; I was super excited, not nervous at all. The thing I forgot is, I forgot to watch the ball! I’d done everything else to be able to live that dream but then in that moment I just forgot the most basic aspect of cricket,” McCullum was quoted as saying in the latest episode of Captain’s log podcast series.

Grant Elliot’s 83 run inning from 82 balls helped the Kiwis reach a respectable score that Australia managed to track down without having to break much sweat.

Aussie skipper Michael Clarke put up a captain’s inning by scoring 74 runs in the final, to lead his side over the line.

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