World Cup 2015: McCullum admits they found Australia difficult to handle

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum today expressed pride and delight with the way his team performed in the cricket World Cup, despite a comprehensive loss to Australia in the final here today.

"Tonight's performance was obviously somewhat disappointing. But at the same time, I think Australia played better. It came down to one game," a dejected said McCullum at post-match media conference.

"We gave ourselves that opportunity in this tournament with so much on the line, and ultimately Australia stepped up and they were too good for us on the night. Look, it's a credit to them that they were able to do so on a big occasion."

The dangerous opener said he was proud of his team, which won eight consecutive games enroute to the final.

"I am really proud of the guys. I thought the way that we played throughout this tournament, the brand of cricket that we've played, the way we've entertained people, I guess left nothing out there in terms of the character and attitude on the field. I think it's been one hell of a ride and something that we'll remember for the rest of our lives. It would have been great to have got the silverware but it wasn't meant to be, but I think what we were able to achieve in this tournament will last for a long time," he said.

In a touch emotional tone, he spoke about what all New Zealand gained from the tournament .

"The friendships we've created, the experiences that we've had, and I guess the people that we've been able to inspire throughout the tournament is something that we're really proud of. It's never nice running second, but sometimes you've got to doff your cap to the winner." McCullum, however, did say that the defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow.

"It doesn't rankle me because I think they were too good. I think you've got to sometimes acknowledge when a team is better than what you were on the day. Hey, if we played them tomorrow, who knows what the result may be, but on the occasion, on the day, they stepped up and they delivered. I thought they obviously put us under early pressure, took three early wickets against us, and then we re-gathered.

"We gave ourselves an opportunity at three for 150, and then they came again at us. All credit to them to be able to grab those key moments." 

The skipper said New Zealand were outplayed in all departments.

"I think on the scoreboard, it does look convincing, and it was a convincing win in all honesty. There were times throughout the game I still felt as if we were in it, even 183 on the board, I still felt that we were still a chance in this game, and whether that's my eternal optimism or some realism.

"We'll take some lessons out of that, but sometimes you've just got to admit that you ran second in the race," McCullum was dead honest in his assessment.

He pointed out that Australian team's experience in big events counted a lot.

"They have got some experience playing in big occasions, and maybe that was one of the differences, as well. I don't know. But I think we can't read too much into it. I think they stepped up on the day. They were better than us, and yeah, they'll be drinking the winning champagne."

Having reached their maiden final, McCullum was confident that they would go all the way in future ICC events.

"I guess once you're in the final, you've got yourself an opportunity of winning. If we can keep making finals, then we'll win one at some point."

He lauded Mitchell Starc, who bowled a brilliant first over, castling the dashing batsman.

"He (Starc) was a bit too good for me today, that's for sure. Yeah, look, he deserves the 'Man of the Tournament' for me. He was outstanding, bowled at good pace, he swung the ball late, and he was incredibly accurate all the way along"

McCullum's own stroke selection came in for questioning as he didn't exhibit the discipline needed to survive initial overs.

"I think I tried to block the one I got out on, and that didn't work too good, either. But we knew that it would swing for a little while, but it swung in New Zealand and we've been able to be productive against swing bowling.

Again, I think it would be doing a disservice to the Australians if I sat up here and started to try and justify what went wrong or what may have been. I think it's just one of those days where you just let them enjoy the glory, said McCullum.

His aggressive approach did not pay off when it mattered most but McCullum is not going to change his style of play, be it his batting or captaincy.

"No, no, you don't change your style of play. Look, for us to develop into the team that we want to be in international cricket, we have to play like that.

"I think there's an element of fearlessness about how we play, which has been an effect on other teams, as well, and I think if you ask most of the teams in this tournament what they think of how we've played the game, they would be very respectful of how we've gone about it. It's what gives us our greatest pleasure.

"So, we're not going to change. I guess one other thing I just did want to say is I think -- I looked in the changing room today, and the guys that we've had an incredible journey.

"We had Martin Crowe and John Key, our Prime Minister, in the changing room before, and they were incredibly proud of what we've been able to achieve, as well. They're just a couple of guys we've been able to share it with, and I guess we've shared this experience with the whole country. It would have been nice to have won it, but I'm sure everyone will be proud of what we've been able to achieve," he concluded.