Cricket storm erupts over 'pathetic' Kiwi response after crushing loss to Australia

Daryl Mitchell has copped a pasting around the cricket world after the Black Caps veteran claimed his side are "not defined by the outcomes" following their 2-0 Test series loss to Australia. The Kiwis were in prime position to win their first Test against Australia on home soil in 31 years on Monday, but the Aussies recovered from 5-80 to chase down the victory target of 279 with three wickets in hand.

Alex Carey and Mitch Marsh were the heroes, hitting 98 not out and 80 respectively, while Pat Cummins chipped in 32 not out in the Aussie captain's latest brilliant performance during a run chase. It means New Zealand still haven't beaten Australia in a Test since 2011, and are winless against the Aussies at home since 1993.

The Kiwis only have themselves to blame for the 2-0 series loss, dropping nine catches across the two matches. Rachin Ravindra put down a simple chance to dismiss Marsh on 27 on Monday, and the Aussie batter made the Black Caps pay.

Daryl Mitchell's controversial response to Test loss

But when discussing the crushing loss on New Zealand radio SENZ, Mitchell said the Black Caps weren't too worried. The veteran batter said there is more to cricket than just wins and losses.

“For us, we've always said as Black Caps, we're not defined by the outcomes," he said. "We're defined by how we play cricket and hopefully how we inspire our country to play the game.

“We are really proud of the efforts that we did throughout the Test. Although we didn't get the win that we wanted, I think if we keep turning up and keep playing cricket like this, puffing our chests out and doing it with a smile on our face and hopefully inspiring many young kids here in New Zealand to play Test cricket in the future, then we're doing the right thing.”

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New Zealand cricket greats savage Daryl Mitchell comments

The comments didn't go down well with a number of Kiwis, including former players Jeremy Coney and Ian Smith. “I absolutely support the sentiment of it about the fact that you're an international sportsman and that you train as hard as you can," Coney said.

“You train your own individual skills and whatever that might be, that doesn't just mean batting or bowling, it means where you are in the field, what you're going to do and what's the requirement of the position. You don't want to let your teammates down ... all those kinds of things, you do in order to, what? To lose?

“Give me a break. (You do it) to win. Winning is actually the key to it all. You don't have to be a sportsman for that, either. Any position that you do, you have to do it well in order to remain doing it for a start. If you do it poorly, you're out.

“So don't tell me that outcomes have got nothing to do with international sport. We kind of get what he's meaning. But actually, young kids will follow the New Zealand side when they win. I promise you that Darryl, they'll stick with you.”

Smith was also flabergasted, saying: “I don't believe I just heard a New Zealand cricketer say 'We're not defined by the outcomes', of a Test match against Australia. If we were to ask Darryl Mitchell, had they got up and won that Test, asked them the very same question.

“He wouldn't have said, 'Really, winning didn't really matter to us, it was more the way we were appreciated and respected by our crowds and our kids coming through to play the game'. I'm sorry ... unless I've been so far removed from the game. I don't understand that. I simply don't, and I hope it was just a mistake to be perfectly honest.”

Kiwi fans were also less than impressed with Mitchell's comments. Many labelled the response 'pathetic' and 'cringey' on social media.

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