From the fan zones across the country to the buzzing MCG, few summed up our national pride and pathos, better than these fan reactions.
One loyal fan put it all down in a heartfelt letter...
Even though we lost the final, we had some amazing, memorable moments and this is how I will always remember this World Cup and how it sums it all up for me.
So late in the evening of the semi-final, I was holding my 1-year-old son, trying to rock him to sleep while at the same time trying to follow the NZ vs. South Africa semi. There are 2 balls left in the game, 5 runs needed to win, and 1000 beats per minute clocked on the old heart rate. So. Much. Tension.
As Elliot stared down the barrel, ready to face Steyn's 155 kph bowling arm, I held my breath, clamped my eyes shut, and held my son tight. Everything slowed down. Flashbacks started replaying in my mind of when I was a kid watching the 1992 World Cup semi against Pakistan with my dad (one of the few things we actually did together). These memories were accompanied of course by the disappointment of losing that particular semi-final, and the usual hint of doubt and guarded excitement associated with the Blackcaps of old (and my dad of old).
