New Zealand Bag MCC Spirit of Cricket Award

New Zealand National Cricket Team have bagged the Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket award for 2019 with their spectacular display in both on and off the cricket field during the ICC World Cup 2019 final. The Kiwis lost the final to host England in an epic manner which sparked a lot of controversies, but the cricketer showed character to endure the defeat.

The Black Caps earned a lot of praise from all across the globe for dealing with the loss with grace and humility. Skipper Kane Williamson led the team from the front after they were denied the trophy after the game finished on the same score in the regulation 100 overs. Ironically, the Super Over also ended on a tie before the host trumped New Zealand on boundary count.

New Zealand win MCC Spirit of Cricket Award

The Black Caps became the first team to finish second in a World Cup. They lost to Australia in 2015 before going down to England in 2019. With the most prestigious price in one-day cricket at stake, New Zealand showed nothing but class after suffering heartbreak. President of the Marylebone Cricket Club Kumar Sangakkara heaped praise on the Kiwis.

“The New Zealand team are worthy winners of this award. In the heat of battle, they displayed a level of sportsmanship that was fitting for such a fantastic final, and indeed tournament. It is a testament to their squad that even after a match that will live long in the memory for the cricket that was played, we are still talking about the Spirit of Cricket. Their actions deserve this recognition,” Sangakkara said. 

The award was presented to New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson during the drawn second Test between the host and England in Hamilton, to whom they lost in the World Cup final.