Gary Stead Slightly Hurt But Proud Of The Way New Zealand Competed In The 2019 World Cup Final

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has opened up on the 2019 World Cup final where his team lost in the final by the barest of margins to England. The Lord’s Cricket Ground in London witnessed a World Cup tournament-decider for the ages as England, led by Eoin Morgan, lifted the coveted trophy for the first time in history. And now nearly one year since the clash, Gary Stead has revealed his feelings about the same.

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Both teams scored 241 in their allotted 50 overs, which subsequently dragged the match to the super over. Each over from both sides also produced 15 runs; however, England were declared winners based on superior boundary count.

Ben Stokes bagged the man of the match award due to his swashbuckling and superlative knock of 84. While the decision to award the World Cup based on boundary count erupted plenty of controversies, the entire Kiwi side behaved in a very gentleman way.

Gary Stead stated that it does hurt a bit from time to time like any other Kiwi. However, he accepted the result as it was and there was no acrimony at all regarding the rules. Stead lamented not crossing the final hurdle by Kane Williamson’s men; however, hopes for the side’s willingness to get better with each day. Sadly, New Zealand also lost in the 2015 World Cup final to Australia by seven wickets.

“I think there’s a wee bit of hurt from time to time and I guess any Kiwi fan is probably very much in that same boat. There’s no bitterness at all, we understood the rules going into the match. It’s a hard one because there are some great emotions that came from that tournament as well, but unfortunately, it was just that final hurdle we didn’t cross. It’s something I’m sure will drive the players to keep wanting to get better every day,” the Christchurch-born stated as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

I think everyone has really different emotions around it: Gary Stead

The 48-year old said that while cricketing experts and fans have different emotions about it, but he feels proud of the way they played in the tournament. Stead commended the way the Black Caps fought tooth and nail against the hosts’ much-vaunted batting line-up.

While New Zealand lost to sides like Pakistan, Australia, and England in the group stages, they peaked at the correct time to reach the final. Most importantly, the Kiwis stunned India in the semi-final.

“I do think about it a bit, I think everyone has really different emotions around it. The thing that stands out for me is that it’s all a bit numb, really, in some ways but enormously proud of the way we played the whole tournament. As a Kiwi and as a supporter of the Blackcaps it was hard to be any more proud of the way they played and fought in that match,” Stead added.

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