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".

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.

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

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.

In a former life Black Caps manager Mike Sandle used police dogs to control wrong-doers.

Life can get pretty tough when you're a talisman and you're having one of those days when you just can't "talis".

From pool play to semifinal, the Black Caps’ bowling attack and inspired batting led to the heart-in-mouth win over South Africa.

The World Cup final was the first time at least one of New Zealand's top three batsmen had failed to get past 38 at the tournament.

Australia got their revenge for Eden Park loss, steamrolling a Black Caps side that was unable to truly compete.

A tense atmosphere has settled over the fanzone in central Auckland as early wickets fell for the Black Caps in the Cricket World Cup final today.

Having confirmed his retirement from one-day cricket, Australian skipper Michael Clarke then poo-poohed any notion that it would add extra resonance to today's occasion for his team.

Brendon McCullum writes: Our team has received incredible support and it’s this sense of belonging that we take into the final today. Our motivation is to play for you.

Kia Ora - just to avoid confusion, that's a common greeting on this side of the Tasman.

Grandma was on the floor with that smiling-but-slightly-bewildered expression. And still wearing the Santa hat.

A quick google of the words 'Brendon McCullum' yesterday unveiled a gem.

The Auckland Council is planning a World Cup homecoming for the Black Caps - just don't call it a victory parade.

More regular Chappel-Hadlee Trophy cricket against Australia is in the pipeline.

Among the pile of questions thrown at Brendon McCullum yesterday, was whether he'd rein his style in given the size of the occasion at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.

Aucklander Paddy Singe and his wife, Anne, will be among the 100,000-strong crowd at the MCG for today's Cup final - a last-minute present for the couple's 34th wedding anniversary.

This New Zealand cricket team is our GOAT, the Greatest Of All Time.

I fell in love with cricket when I was 6. Weirdly, I remember the exact place it happened - Melbourne, February 13, 1983.

Increased public transport services are planned to cater for cricket fans heading to the Takutai Square fanzone in downtown Auckland tomorrow.

New Zealand have the World Cup final opponent they wanted in co-hosts Australia, according to skipper Brendon McCullum.

Ailing cricket legend Martin Crowe has set a heart-wrenching scene for the Cricket World Cup final, revealing it may be the “last” match he watches.