(REUTERS) – New Zealand left the World Cup with their heads held high and the satisfaction of yet again exceeding expectations despite failing for the sixth time to advance beyond the semi-finals. Everybody but the Kiwis themselves thought there was no chance of a second upset in the tournament when they were dismissed for 217 by Sri Lanka on Tuesday after losing their last six wickets for 25 runs.
A team, who are consistently more than the sum of their parts, fought doggedly to take quick wickets after Sri Lanka had reached 160 for one. But, unlike their performance in the quarter-final against South Africa, they could not make the final breakthrough and lost by five wickets to a superior side.
Captain Daniel Vettori, who epitomises the Kiwis’ pragmatic no-frills style, said his top order had not scored enough runs and his bowlers had not broken through soon enough.
“Obviously we are incredibly disappointed. We fought so hard to stay in the tournament,” he told the post-match news conference. “It’s just all about taking wickets, that is the only way we were going to win the game.”
New Zealand’s strength was their marvellously athletic fielding, which set new standards in the circle where Martin Guptill was routinely brilliant.

NO MORE T20
However, their potentially explosive top-order batting never fired against a good attack apart from the group match against Pakistan. Although the lower order routinely produced useful runs, they came up short on Tuesday against the pace of Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga and the guile of Ajantha Mendis.
Tim Southee, clearly benefiting from the guidance of new bowling coach and former South African great Allan Donald, was the pick of the bowlers and Vettori and Jacob Oram bowled well in the knockout stages.
“The batsmen are starting to develop and understand their roles. Of the players, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee and Nathan McCullum stood out,” Vettori said.
“There will be different stages of grief for the guys between those beginning and ending their careers but this result is a catalyst for many to get better.”
Vettori, 32, who now relinquishes the captaincy after four years in charge, said he would take time out to consider his one-day future but added he would no longer play Twenty20 internationals.
“I may take a break but this mightn’t be my last one-dayer for New Zealand,” he said. “(But) I’ve played my last Twenty20 match.
“Tests are a big part of why I play the game, for the team and myself, because there is no better feeling than winning a Test.”