Editorial: This time the choke's not on us

Did the Black Caps choke? No, they just failed to execute.

Two days later and we're still dumbstruck.

Cricket was one win away from becoming the new black.

To lift the spirits, I came up with a quick-fire sketch of the peeves and positives to help survive the inevitable post-mortem.

Antipodes stronghold: The dominance of the limited overs game is based not in the northern hemisphere, not in the subcontinent, but Australasia.

Batting belligerence: Some argue Brendon McCullum's Tyson-esque approach cost us the final. Others (including this writer) prefer to think his pugilism got us to the final.

The Alternate Commentary Collective: Another great Kiwi initiative from a caravan. Lewd, yet one of the most enjoyable narratives and welcome deviations from mainstream commentary. So popular these guys will inevitably cease to be alternative.

Tui's Catch a Million: A supporters' groundswell that rendered games played in Australia dull by comparison.

Mitchell Johnson: Twice as arrogant as the other Mitchell (Starc) with half the talent. Still, his is a sneer the likes of which we haven't seen since countryman Craig McDermott in the late 80s.

Yellow fever: While the Aussies' jubilation was depressingly familiar, there's something satisfying about an 11-man victory dance in canary yellow.

The question on the street is, did we choke?

If the definition is having control but failing to execute, then no. The Black Caps never had the ascendancy.

In sport circles "choke" has become a lazy synonym for "lose". Its new usage seems to arise when a team or athlete fails to meet punters' expectations.

But fear not. We'll do it all again in 171 days when the All Blacks risk the global stage - and risk choking.