Bay of Plenty Times
  • Bay of Plenty Times home
  • Latest news
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Sport
  • Video
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Residential property listings
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
  • Sport

Locations

  • Coromandel & Hauraki
  • Katikati
  • Tauranga
  • Mount Maunganui
  • Pāpāmoa
  • Te Puke
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

Weather

  • Thames
  • Tauranga
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Bay of Plenty Times

Cricket: World media reacts to Black Caps' World Test Championship win

NZ Herald
23 Jun, 2021 08:20 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Kane Williamson holds the World Test champions Mace. Photo / Photosport

Kane Williamson holds the World Test champions Mace. Photo / Photosport

The Black Caps are on top of the world - and everyone knows it.

New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship against India this morning (NZT) after a stunning bowling performance that saw them chase down their target of 139 with 7.1 overs to spare.

They've dominated global headlines since, with even Indian media outlets commending the Black Caps as worthy champions.

Here's how the world reacted:

Current and former cricketers from around the world were quick to congratulate New Zealand on their incredible achievement.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Former England international Mike Atherton described them as a "humble, hardworking and outstanding Test team - worthy champions", while former Kiwi cricketer Scott Styris tweeted it was a "sensational performance".

'Classy skipper Kane Williamson deservingly walked away with title'

Times of India praised Williamson's leadership and reflected on how things have turned around for the team since World Cup heartbreak.

"Perhaps the cricket Gods wanted a course correction for Williamson and his men, who were left high and dry during that evening at the Lord's where a twist of cruel fate and
horrible rules robbed them of deserving glory in the 2019 World Cup."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson leave the pitch. Photo / Photosport
Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson leave the pitch. Photo / Photosport

'New Zealand prove themselves worthy winners'

The Telegraph commended New Zealand's discipline and dominance.

"It was the concerted effort of cricket in New Zealand that has overcome the disparity in income and population to produce a team built on the collective and beat India's superstars."

It also pointed out the rise of Kyle Jamieson.

"A new star has been born in Kyle Jamieson, man of the match for his seven for 61 from 46 overs of relentless examination of Indian techniques.

Discover more

Black Caps

On top of the world! Brilliant Black Caps crowned world test champions

23 Jun 05:45 PM
Black Caps

Live: World champions! Ball-by-ball - how the Black Caps triumphed

23 Jun 08:30 AM

"Jamieson bowled two heroic spells on Wednesday of two for six in seven overs before lunch, landing the big ones of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara."

Ross Taylor batting. Photo / Photosport
Ross Taylor batting. Photo / Photosport

'New Zealand rule the world with victory for small guy'

Writing in The Times, Atherton said "Kane Williamson's New Zealand are the world Test champions. Sounds good, doesn't it? A team who play with character, style and grace and who have suffered some agonising near-misses in ICC events, stand tall as champions of the long-form game, having beaten their more fancied opponents, India, on a day filled with tension as time and overs ticked away ...

"Other than the small matter of more than a billion India cricket supporters, it is a victory that will be well received around the cricketing world. This is partly because of the popularity of Williamson and his players, now everybody's second favourite team, but also because their competitiveness shows there is a place for a well-run, well-drilled outfit regardless of the disparity of wealth or resources. It was a victory for the small guys."

'New Zealand Defy Size With Sheer Class And Power'

Meanwhile, NDTV Sports reflected on New Zealand's initial label as the underdogs for the Test Championship.

"Few cricket lovers would begrudge New Zealand, a country with a population of around five million compared with cricket powerhouse's India's 1.3 billion, their success.

"They entered a final worth $1.6 million to the winners, hardened by a recent 1-0 series win in England, while India were playing their first Test since March," it read.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

There was plenty of reaction on Twitter too.

That’s simply one of the most incredible moments in NZ sport. #WTCFinal

— Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) June 23, 2021

NEW ZEALAND ARE THE INAUGURAL ICC WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 🎉#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ | @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/HMIaYI32Az

— ICC (@ICC) June 23, 2021

THE @BLACKCAPS ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!! pic.twitter.com/vvBNs9mMCi

— The ACC (@TheACCnz) June 23, 2021

So proud of this group of men. 5 years ago this result would have been unimaginable. Enjoy tonight lads! @blackcaps

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) June 23, 2021

That’s simply one of the most incredible moments in NZ sport. #WTCFinal

— Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) June 23, 2021

Class act Kane Williamson … !! 👍

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 23, 2021

No words, 2 greats #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/fBd6wEgWdp

— Alex Chapman (@AlexChapmanNZ) June 23, 2021

The greatest day in NZ cricket history. So stoked for our world champion @BLACKCAPS.🏆 Kane & @RossLTaylor bringing it home was fitting. Great idea having a 6th day. Whoever thought of that, give them a pay rise. And Kyle Jamieson receiving man of the match barefoot. 😍

— James McOnie (@JamesMcOnie) June 23, 2021

I can’t believe it! Absolute scenes! WORLD CHAMPIONS!

— Ben Hurley (@benhurleycom) June 23, 2021
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Sport

Sport

Silence of the fans: Chiefs supporters told to leave cowbells at home

17 Jun 11:41 PM
Bay of Plenty Times

Fiji Drua coach to lead Tauranga rugby team

16 Jun 08:34 PM
Premium
Bay of Plenty Times

Opinion: How school barriers block pathways for young athletes

14 Jun 06:01 PM

Jono and Ben brew up a tea-fuelled adventure in Sri Lanka

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Sport

Silence of the fans:  Chiefs supporters told to leave cowbells at home

Silence of the fans: Chiefs supporters told to leave cowbells at home

17 Jun 11:41 PM

Crusaders boss says cowbells will be melted down at the gate.

Fiji Drua coach to lead Tauranga rugby team

Fiji Drua coach to lead Tauranga rugby team

16 Jun 08:34 PM
Premium
Opinion: How school barriers block pathways for young athletes

Opinion: How school barriers block pathways for young athletes

14 Jun 06:01 PM
Chiefs beat Brumbies to book spot in Super Rugby Pacific final

Chiefs beat Brumbies to book spot in Super Rugby Pacific final

14 Jun 09:03 AM
Help for those helping hardest-hit
sponsored

Help for those helping hardest-hit

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Bay of Plenty Times e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Bay of Plenty Times
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP