Hamilton:The New Zealand cricket team have been awarded the MCC's Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award for 2019 for their exemplary show of sportsmanship during the epic final of the ICC World Cup at Lord's in July, which they lost.
After losing to England in a thrilling final on July 14 at the Lord's, New Zealand team led by Kane Williamson's team were universally lauded for accepting the defeat with utmost grace, humility and selflessness.
Kane Williamson and his team were denied the 50-over trophy despite tying scores in both the regulation 100 overs and the Super Over, as England trumped them on a boundary count and lifted their maiden 50-over World Cup trophy.
Kumar Sangakkara, the president of the Marylebone Cricket Club, commended the Blackcaps, saying, ''The New Zealand team are worthy winners of this award. In the heat of battle, they displayed a level of sportsmanship that was fitting for such a fantastic final, and indeed tournament.
''It is a testament to their squad that even after a match that will live long in the memory for the cricket that was played, we are still talking about the Spirit of Cricket. Their actions deserve this recognition,'' he added. The award was presented to Williamson during the drawn second Test between his team and England, at Hamilton's Seddon Park.
The award was the brainchild of the MCC and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), created in 2013, in memory of Martin-Jenkins, the former MCC president and BBC Test Match Special commentator, to honour his longstanding passion and desire to see the game played in the right spirit.(UNI)
