The 2019 World Cup final was a havoc for Kane Williamson-led New Zealand side. They failed to get their hands on the most desirable cup in the closest match this game ever saw.
New Zealand senior batsman Ross Taylor said, The 2019 World Cup final heartbreak against England at Lord’s was the turning point for New Zealand cricket, and the win against India in the inaugural World Test Championship final at Southampton recently has made up for that disappointment.
“Over the last few years, the team has built into a fantastic consistent side and after the heartbreak of the 2019 World Cup, this is definitely the highlight and I think probably makes up for that,” said Taylor referring to the disappointment they suffered two years ago.
“Once the winning runs were hit, walking off with him (Willamson) and the discussions afterward, it’s something that I’ll never forget. It was still touch and go when I went out there to bat; to get through that hard period and Kane’s been a fantastic captain and ambassador for the game and our country.
“And for him (Williamson) to be out there and on that last ball before, he sort of gave me a stare: ‘hurry up and finish it’ so that he doesn’t have to. So it was nice to hit the boundary and celebrate what was a tough match with a lot of hard work over the last two or so years,” said Taylor, a veteran of 108 Tests and 233 ODIs who has scored over 16,000 runs in the two formats.
“The photo says it all, I think. Obviously, we were very happy with what we had achieved but also there was a little bit of relief in there too that we were finally able to get one across the line. After the heartbreak of 2019, it was nice to finally be out there and be there with Kane and go and celebrate it with a lot of guys — BJ (Watling), Boulty (Trent Boult), Tim (Southee), a lot of guys who have been in this team and experienced a lot of highs and lows over a long period of time.”
Ross Taylor has been in the international gesture for New Zealand for almost 16 years and this WTC win was his lone major cup win wearing the Kiwi cap.
