Melbourne: Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming on Monday said the wicket of Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor was the turning point of the World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia.
Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday to clinch their fifth World Cup title.
“Taylor’s wicket was the turning point of the match. It negated the powerplay and when it became two in three deliveries and then three in eight, the Black Caps found themselves in a position from which they never recovered,” Fleming wrote in a column for ICC.
Fleming said many might criticise skipper Brendon McCullum for getting out in the very first over, but it was the skipper who took on the opposition’s bowling attack in the entire tournament.
“There may be those who will criticise Brendon McCullum for getting out in the first over after looking being positive from the outset but I will not be one of them. After all, you cannot have it both ways,” he said.
“McCullum’s approach propelled the side forward throughout the journey to the final and he was lauded for it so you cannot suddenly say he should have played in a different way just because it did not come off this time.”
The 41-year-old credited the five-time champions Australia and particularly pacer Mitchell Starc for putting up an impressive performance in the big final. (PTI)
