New Zealand's WTC triumph shows nice guys can finish first
Kane Williamson and his men defied India, and Southampton’s wet weather, to become test cricket’s first world champions, earning praise as much for their attitude as their aptitude.
New Zealand’s impeccable conduct has been almost an anachronism in the cut-throat world of cricket where confrontations are routine and send-offs ugly.
The country’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern touched on that point when praising the “brilliant and humble squad” in her congratulatory message.
“Over a number of years now we have seen the development of a team and team culture that has taken New Zealand cricket to world beating heights,” she said.
Even disheartened India fans, who often struggle to digest such defeats, doffed their caps to New Zealand, who former England captain Mike Atherton called “everybody’s second favourite team” after the win.
