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McCullum disappointed with Twenty20 exit

Tuesday, April 01 2014 by SNTV
  • Intro:

    New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was left to reflect on what might have been, after his team capitulated to a 59-run defeat against Sri Lanka in their final match at the World Twenty20.

    The Kiwis could only make a dismal total of 60 all out chasing down Sri Lanka's score of 119 - meaning McCullum's side exit the tournament, while Sri Lanka move through to the last four.

    Script:

    SOUNDBITE (English) Brendon McCullum, Captain, New Zealand:

    "The wicket was completely different (to previous games) to be honest. We anticipated it would skid on as it has done right throughout every game that's been played here - and every team that has won a toss has wanted to chase at night as well. So we expected that to happen... and it was really dry, it was almost under-prepared a little bit, the way it played towards the end, and we didn't adapt our games quick enough, there were some soft dismissals, some poor options, myself included, and we couldn't find the balance between trying to be aggressive enough to give us a start, chasing a small total, and also conserving wickets and try and stem the flow of their momentum. And in the end, the team that won and qualified for the semi-finals is a far better team than us."

    "One-twenty (120 runs) at half-time - we were really happy, I thought we bowled outstandingly well. And it's the most desperate, I think, we've been in the field - I still think we could have been better with the catches and things - but it's the best attitude that I've seen in the field this tournament.. But I said at the start of the tournament that you had to start well - we coughed up a game against South Africa that we should have won - and now tonight at half-time we should have won that game as well. We let that opportunity slip, so, hence, we'll be on the plane home tomorrow."

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