The New Zealand cricket team may be one of the most competitive teams of the world but there is no denying the fact that they are also the true representatives of Spirit of Cricket. We have always seen them fighting for winning the matches but we have rarely seen any New Zealand cricketer doing anything wrong on the field which is against the rules or the spirit of the game.
If you have any doubt, just go a little back and recollect the finals of ODI World Cup 2019, New Zealand lost to England but the manner in which they lost was certainly controversial and many former cricketers along with the cricket fans expressed their annoyance over it. However, the New Zealand team accepted the outcome and chose not to make an issue out of the matter.
Once again, the world has seen the New Zealand team proving that they are the best when it comes to behaving as per the spirit of cricket. What makes it more worthy of praise is the fact that this incident involves the youngsters of New Zealand cricket.
During a match between the New Zealand under-19 and West Indies under-19 teams in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup tournament, West Indies batsman Kirk McKenzie got cramps and was finding it difficult to walk. When the New Zealand cricketers saw that Kirk is not able to walk properly, they carried him off the field.
The official Twitter handle of Cricket World Cup posted the video with caption, “An outstanding show of sportsmanship earlier today in the game between West Indies and New Zealand 👏”
An outstanding show of sportsmanship earlier today in the game between West Indies and New Zealand 👏 #U19CWC | #SpiritOfCricket | #FutureStars pic.twitter.com/UAl1G37pKj
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 29, 2020
Click here to watch this video directly on Twitter
Not only cricket lovers but many former players including Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif also praised the New Zealand youngsters for this applauding gesture.
Mohammad Kaif took to Twitter and wrote, “Mastery begins with humility. The legacy being so beautifully carried forward by the next generation of New Zealand stars. There is a reason why they are the most loved team of our times #SpiritOfCricket”
Mastery begins with humility. The legacy being so beautifully carried forward by the next generation of New Zealand stars. There is a reason why they are the most loved team of our times #SpiritOfCricket https://t.co/gg52oU1RcM
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 30, 2020
New Zealand not only won the hearts but the match too. Batting first, West Indies scored 238 with the help of Kirk McKenzie’s 99 and the New Zealanders achieved the target after losing 8 wickets. Now the U-19 team of New Zealand will clash with the winners of SA vs Bangladesh quarter final in the semi-finals.
This was certainly a great example of sportsmanship by the young cricketers of New Zealand. What do you say?
