Respective New Zealand captains Kane Williamson, Laura Langman and Kieran Read after the conclusion of their World Cup campaigns. Photos - Photosport and Mark Mitchell
Respective New Zealand captains Kane Williamson, Laura Langman and Kieran Read after the conclusion of their World Cup campaigns. Photos - Photosport and Mark Mitchell
Those brave enough to wage a decent flutter on the Silver Ferns to win their World Cup, the Black Caps to reach their final and the All Blacks to bomb the penultimate match of their pinnacle event could have plunged the profits on an Auckland house deposit.
Yes, odds onthis three-pronged scenario really were that long.
Three World Cups in six months is quite the emotional rollercoaster.
Running down the stairs for the umpteenth time at the Liverpool Arena, I experienced genuine heart palpitations. Nothing to worry about, I tell myself. Push on.
Reporters are supposed to remain objective at all times.
Truth is it's near impossible to suppress all inner, bubbling emotions when you appreciate the struggle, sacrifice and witness how much it means to athletes who achieve, or fail to achieve, long-held dreams.
Only robots switch off entirely.
As the sole New Zealand journalist to cover three World Cups in 2019, I'll attempt to relive the drama and, hopefully, offer a peek behind the odd curtain.
Cricket World Cup, England and Wales - May 30 – July 14
New Zealand's road to the knockouts offers lesson after lesson in presuming nothing.
In this tournament the Black Caps resemble that absent family member or friend who never shows when expected, only to land on the doorstep when needed most.
Other than the comfortable win over Afghanistan in Taunton and their opening game, the 10 wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Cardiff, which kindly finishes early enough to absorb the Champions League final at the Walkabout pub heaving with gleeful Liverpool fans, the Black Caps do everything the hard way.
The Oval: Bangladesh at this vastly underappreciated London venue sets the scene for a tournament uplifted by the constant presence of intensely-passionate Asian cricketing fans.
With Ross Taylor at the crease New Zealand are cruising to victory. I tell a Reuters' photographer another early finish is in store.
Cue the collapse. Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry all depart to leave fate in Mitchell Santner's willow.
Roaring Bangladesh fans believe. The photographer returns to say I'll be eating my words. Cheers, mate.
Mitchell Santner celebrates after leading the Black Caps to a tight win over Bangladesh. Photosport
A Lockie Ferguson edge to the boundary and ice-veins Santner cover drive later, the Black Caps remain unbeaten, just.
Speaking to Trent Boult with two journalists in the nets post match he is a breath of fresh air compared to other high-profile sportsmen, belying his status the second-ranked ODI bowler.
Casual, real, honest, refreshing, Boult is content to sit and discuss any topics thrown his way.
In my experience, this is true for the Caps throughout the tournament.
Line from copy: "From oh-so-close to a meltdown of the highest order to two-from-two, New Zealand's prospects swung like Trent Boult seamers on a green top."
Edgbaston: India strike it lucky with the washout in Nottingham, as the later semifinal result would prove, and so it's off to Edgbaston, Birmingham, and the most ridiculous spread you ever will see.
Cheese platters, lolly stands, salmon, curry, poppadom, salads, you name it, Edgbaston lays on a feast fit for the crown.
Fittingly, as is so often the case, Kane Williamson bats like royalty in a 91-run sixth wicket stand with de Grandhomme to rescue New Zealand against perennial World Cup chokers, South Africa.
Eight required from the final over on a difficult two-paced pitch, Williamson deftly glides the ball through the slips to the boundary and then hits the first six of his perfectly-paced innings to complete a battling yet majestic century.
At this point in the press box, Andrew Anderson's shoulder receives an almighty thump, not for the last time this tournament.
Line from copy: "At what point does enthusiasm outweigh scepticism with the Black Caps? For fear of being burnt, not yet it would seem."
Kane Williamson led the Black Caps to a poolplay victory over South Africa. Photosport
Old Trafford:
Carlos Brathwaite sinks to his knees. So near, so far. This time Boult judges the inches just right.
Williamson again sets his side up with a man of the match 148 – his highest ODI score – but Brathwaite almost steals that mantle with his remarkable display of power hitting.
Plundering 25 runs from one Matt Henry over, including three successive sixes, Brathwaite and West Indies need eight more from the final two overs.
Strike weapons Boult and Ferguson bowl out. Williamson tosses the ball to… Jimmy Neesham, not a noted death expert by any stretch, for the penultimate over.
