New Zealand PM, UK royal family react to Black Caps' World Cup loss

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New Zealand, Jacinda, World Cup, Black Caps, England, Super over, England win world cup

Wellington - Kiwis were heartbroken but proud of their team.

By AFP

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Published: Tue 16 Jul 2019, 2:21 PM

Last updated: Tue 16 Jul 2019, 4:41 PM

Heartbroken New Zealanders expressed pride Monday in the Black Caps' fighting spirit after defeat to England in the Cricket World Cup final, but also bemusement at the obscure rules that cost them the match.
Also read: Umpiring errors in final cost Kiwis the World Cup
The Black Caps lost even though scores were tied at the end of both regular play and a Super Over shootout, with England's superior boundary count giving them victory.

As Kiwi fans absorbed a second straight loss in the tournament decider, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was concentrating on the positives.

"That was undeniably an incredible game. I think as a nation we all aged a year in that Super Over," she posted on social media.

"Congratulations to England. And to the Black Caps, I feel nothing but pride. What a team."



But her sports minister Grant Robertson questioned the tie-break method.

"What an extraordinary game. Not sure Super Over is the right end," he tweeted.

"Whatever, NZ you can be so, so proud of this team."
Even the father of England's Kiwi-born match-winner Ben Stokes felt the Kiwis were hard done by.

Gerard Stokes, a former New Zealand rugby league international who took his son to England as a boy while he pursued his career, said honours were even.

"It's a shame there has to be a loser," he told the New Zealand Herald.

"They could have shared the trophy but that doesn't seem to be how things are done these days."

News website stuff.co.nz said New Zealand had been denied by the fine print.

"England did not win the Cricket World Cup final and the Black Caps did not lose it," an editorial said.


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