In 2015 and 2019, New Zealand’s cricket team, known as the Black Caps, came heartbreakingly close to achieving World Cup glory. Grant Elliott, a key figure in the 2015 campaign, still recalls the tension-filled moments of those matches vividly. As the 2023 ODI World Cup approaches, the Black Caps are determined to put the past behind them and seize their chance for redemption.
In 2015, Grant Elliott’s heroics in the World Cup semifinal against South Africa are etched in cricketing history. Facing the formidable Dale Steyn, Elliott’s boundary secured New Zealand’s spot in their first-ever World Cup final. It was a remarkable turn of events for a player who had been initially left out of the national squad just four months prior.
New Zealand’s consistent performance in world tournaments has earned them a reputation as perennial underdogs. They have reached the semifinals in the last four World Cups, defying expectations. Grant Elliott attributes this success to the team’s ability to come together and perform exceptionally well in high-pressure situations. The team’s lower profile compared to cricketing giants like India, Australia, and England also works to their advantage, allowing them to operate without excessive media scrutiny.
In New Zealand, rugby often overshadows cricket in terms of popularity. The ongoing rugby World Cup in France has captured the nation’s attention. This relative obscurity in cricket can be a boon for the Black Caps, as they operate with less pressure and distraction compared to their rugby counterparts.
Martin Crowe, a beloved figure in New Zealand cricket, had expressed his last wish to witness the Black Caps lifting the World Cup. For Grant Elliott, this emotional connection to the Kiwis and Crowe made representing New Zealand even more meaningful. It’s a sentiment shared by many players who have chosen New Zealand as their cricketing haven.
The 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s was another agonizingly close encounter for New Zealand. While the team didn’t have the star power of previous years, they gelled as a unit and exceeded expectations. Grant Elliott dismisses any notion of bad luck, emphasizing the importance of someone stepping up when it matters most.
As New Zealand prepares for the 2023 ODI World Cup, they carry the weight of past disappointments but also the hope of a nation. Grant Elliott and the Black Caps are determined to bury the ghosts of 2015 and 2019 and emerge as champions this time. The world will be watching as they embark on another journey to World Cup glory.
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Source: Indian Express
