Picture Credit: ICC
The World Test Championship (WTC) clearly means a lot to New Zealand. While it happens to be only their second ICC trophy in their cricketing history, it came as a relieving balm after the wounds of the 2019 ODI World Cup Final. So much has been the joy, that the Blackcaps strapped the mace into a seat on the plane ride home. Moreover, the mace has already received a couple of nicknames by the players but there is one name that is “sticking” with it- Michael Mason.
While speedster Trent Boult has been telling the reporters how fellow pacer Neil Wagner has struggled to let the mace go, he also confirmed the nickname the mace has received.
"It's had a couple of nicknames already," Boult said as quoted by several media reports.
"I feel like Michael Mason is sticking - ex-New Zealand cricketer, right-arm seamer from the mighty Central Districts," he added.
Who is Michael Mason?
Mason, now aged 46, featured for New Zealand in one Test match against South Africa in 2004 and 26 ODIs and three T20Is between 2003 and 2010. He was also part of the 2007 T20 World Cup squad for the Kiwis.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis had a great time celebrating their historic win.
"We had a great night. The guys were obviously pretty chuffed after a fantastic game of cricket ... you combine such a special moment after two years of hard work ... it was fitting to push the boat out a little bit," captain Kane Williamson was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.