The Black Caps may not have brought the trophy home with them, but they returned to New Zealand as heroes after an emotional and eventful Cricket World Cup.

Kiwi punters were on the ball when it came to guessing which Black Caps bowling star would shine at the World Cup, but weren't so accurate with the batsmen.

Loud cheering, screams and a sea of cricket fans' mobile phones raised high in the air has welcomed the Black Caps back to Auckland.

Black Caps supporters have been encouraged to get to Auckland Airport to welcome the team home today.

The man Kiwi cricket fans love to hate looks set to retire from one-day international game.

Call it a windfall. Call it a gift from the heavens. Jamie Gough just calls it $107,000 and change - money he plucked out of thin air.

A highly regarded Melbourne newspaper has run a column today which laments the manner in which Australia's players conducted themselves.

The graciousness with which McCullum led his side was a testament to his respect for the great and noble game, writes Tony Blain.

Mitchell Johnson senses it's only a matter of time before Mitchell Starc starts to dominate test cricket.

Brendon McCullum has been named captain of the ICC World Cup 2015 side that includes five New Zealanders.

First comes the reflection on a job well done, at least until Sunday night. Then will follow the planning, for this cricket team is not for standing still.

How much are the Black Caps each set to pocket for their performance in the Cricket World Cup? Find out here.

Australian cricketer Brad Haddin has come under fire for giving verbal sprays to NZ's batsmen in the World Cup final, but he says they deserved it for being "too nice".

Yesterday, our BlackCaps took to the field at the MCG in the Cricket World Cup final and we took to our couches. We were proud. Here's how it all unfolded online ...

The future of captain Brendon McCullum will be a hot button topic as NZ reassess their one-day planning in the wake of last night's World Cup final loss to Australia.

Shane Warne has hit back at "do gooders" who have complained about his boozy questions during his player interviews after last night's World Cup final.

Black Caps Brendon McCullum and Trent Boult hold their heads high after Australia beat New Zealand to lift the Cricket World Cup trophy.

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum has been gracious in defeat, saying it "doesn't rankle" him that Australia beat New Zealand to lift the Cricket World Cup trophy last night.

Michael Clarke says none of his players overstepped the mark, but admits "you cop as good as you give".

The Black Caps fell at the final hurdle in the Cricket World Cup. Are you still proud of the boys?

From the fan zones across the country to the buzzing MCG, few summed up our national pride and pathos, better than these fan reactions.

It will live on as Brendon McCullum’s philosophy throughout this World Cup adventure: no regrets.

Should New Zealand, given the gravity of the occasion, have buttoned down their game accordingly? Not likely, writes Dylan Cleaver from Melbourne.

Dylan Cleaver, Andrew Alderson and David Leggat answer three key questions following New Zealand's seven wicket loss to Australia in last night's World Cup final.