New Zealand was completely outplayed by Australia in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday and in the process also ended up fiving an unassailable 2-0 lead to the hosts in the three-match series. Kane Williamson and his team might have been handed one of its heaviest defeats in Test cricket, but he remained gracious as ever.
After the match, the New Zealand skipper was seen speaking to a section of New Zealand fans at the MCG, thanking them for their continuous and vociferous support despite the massive loss.
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Talking to his fans after the match at the MCG, Williamson said, “I know we are circled by authorities, and I hope you are all behaving. But the support around this Test match has truly been special and the guys hugely appreciate it. I imagine footballers feel a little bit like this, despite the result. But the passion has been truly inspiring. We want to thank you guys.”
After Williamson finished speaking, he was greeted by loud cheers from the New Zealand fans. Here is the video of the same:
#SteadyTheShip with a big “Thanks Mate!” to all the Great New Zealanders who sung their hearts out all Test in support of the @BLACKCAPS! #BoxingDayTest #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/tSgj5ERtad
— The ACC (@TheACCnz) December 29, 2019
The New Zealand captain was also hailed for his brilliant gesture on Twitter.
Wow Kane with fans 😍😍😍
— Gautam Rajveer (@GautamRajveer22) December 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/alvinpurple87/status/1211192759836504064
Champion, both on and off the field.
— KASHISH (@crickashish217) December 29, 2019
How good is THAT!!! What a star Kane is 🙌
— geoffbrian (@geoffbrian1) December 29, 2019
King Kane! Every time he sets the bar so high being a leader and the way he carries himself. So much the younger generation and the current can learn from him.
— wednesdayblues24 (@7threecaprice) December 29, 2019
In the match, Nathan Lyon went on to scalp four wickets as Australia thrashed New Zealand by 247 runs to win the second Test at Melbourne and the series with a battling century from opener Tom Blundell proving futile.
The Black Caps, chasing a massive 488 to win, were in serious trouble after a fiery spell of James Pattinson who descended the visitors to 38 for three. But some fighting partnerships spearheaded by Blundell delayed the inevitable until Lyon worked his magic as the pitch deteriorated.
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Blundell was the last man out for a swashbuckling 121 — his second Test ton and his first for two years — as New Zealand were dismissed for 240 with Trent Boult not batting after fracturing his hand in the first innings. It was the second heavy defeat for the visitors, who lost by 296 runs in Perth and will be playing for pride only in the final Test at Sydney later this week.