Whatever happens today

New Zealand has been a co-host of a really good World Cup; possibly the best ever.  It did it with growing enthusiasm and fortuitous weather.

The four games held in Wellington and Auckland will be remembered for years.  In their varying ways they were extraordinary ODIs.  In a format where matches tend to roll into one, there will stand out for a long time.

New Zealand has played consistently aggressive cricket.  From McCullum’s batting to the way Trent Boult has bowled, and those field settings, it has been consistently positive.

Cricket has dominated the nation’s consciousness like never before.  School children are more immersed in the sport than in any other time in New Zealand.

The side has played it all in good spirit.  No sledging, and the sportsmanship shown by Elliott and Vettori on the park at the end of the semi-final was special.

New Zealand finally won a World Cup Semi-final.

The crowds (that’s you) made a Tui promotion look cool, and that went out to a global audience.  Apparently Tui is high chic in the bars of Mumbai right now.  Just think about that for a moment.

Daniel Vettori gat a send-off like no other New Zealand cricketer ever got.

Those Fleming – Astle heat-pump ads will be a legacy of this World Cup.  They have been High Art at a level never seen before.

Today a New Zealand sports side plays in front of its biggest international TV audience ever.