ICC World Cup 2019 | We pride ourselves on being a scrappy team, says Lockie Ferguson
After yet another close contest in the final, their fifth in the tournament, Lockie Ferguson has said that the Kiwis pride themselves in their ability to scrape through to the end in every game. However, Ferguson admitted that losing the World Cup final that way was a tough pill to swallow.
In the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand have been the side that has given the fans of at least six countries, including theirs, a heart-stopping encounter. The Kiwis held their nerve and got over the line four out five times in close encounters - against Bangladesh, South Africa, West Indies and India. However, their only loss in a thriller, came at the hands of England, in the biggest game of the tournament - the final. Ferguson, although proud of the character shown the Blackcaps, admitted that it was a tough loss to take.
âIt's a tough one to swallow, for sure. But very proud of the Blackcaps and how we've played in this whole competition. We won a lot of tight games and showed that...although we always didn't win pretty, we scrapped right till the end and I think yesterday was a testament to that. The Blackcaps, we always pride ourselves on being a scrappy team. Not always the results go your way and naturally with the game of cricket, bit of bad luck happens. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be yesterday, which is a bit of a shame,â Ferguson was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.
Going into the final over the game, England needed 15 runs to win. The Kiwi captain called on his senior bowler, Trent Boult, to deliver for his side. And had it not been for the overthrows, he wouldâve easily seen his team over the line. However, Ferguson put his weight firmly behind Boult, emphasising that in any such situation, the team backs the left-arm pacer to deliver.
âTrent Boult is world class at the death. He's done it for us for a long time. Boulty was feeling it at that time and the boys backed him a 100 percent. I thought he bowled an excellent over - both the last over of the game, but unfortunate, and then the Super Over he bowled an excellent over. He's a leader in our side and he loves taking on those challenges,â Ferguson said.
The speedster also reflected on his captain, Kane Williamson, who has earned the praises of every cricket lover for his demeanour in any circumstance. Ferguson noted that the team follows the captain in every way.
âI think Kane leads us in the sense that 'let's not always focus on the outcome'. Although this outcome is particularly hurting I suppose. We do make sure that we...I guess congratulate each other on what we did well. In that sense we stay together, most of our team-mates are staying here for another night, so I'm sure we'll catch up for some lunch perhaps and talk about it a little bit,â Ferguson said.
Ferguson, whose skill and pace with the ball in hand - not to mention that thick moustache he sported - was noted by many around the world, hopes that both and his teamâs performance inspires a new generation of cricketers back home.Â
âUnfortunately, couldn't quite get over the last hurdle but at the same time we're very happy and hopefully we can inspire the next generation of Blackcaps to come though and win a World Cup in the future,â he added.