Scott Styris returned from the ICC World Cup as one of its stars but was eager to help the BLACKCAPS improve on their semi-final finish.
The all-rounder placed fourth in the ratings for the Player of the Tournament, an award captured by leading wicket taker Glenn McGrath.
Styris made 499 runs from nine innings and took nine wickets, and was one of two BLACKCAPS in the top 10 alongside ninth-placed Shane Bond.
However, the 31-year-old was determined to help his side raise their level of performance to challenge world champions Australia and finalists Sri Lanka.
“We really set our stall out for the final we knew we were good enough but we have to acknowledge that the two teams in the final were better than us,” he said.
“We can beat them both on our day but we’ve got to accept that as a team we have a lot of improving to do.”
McGrath topped the rankings, beating competition from Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and teammate Matthew Hayden.
Points were allocated by the television commentary teams at each match.
Their choice of man of the match received three points, second choice two points and the third pick one.
ICC World Cup Player of the Tournament Top 10
1 Glenn McGrath (Aus) 15 points
2 Mahela Jayawardene (SL) 11
3 Matthew Hayden (Aus) 9
4 Scott Styris (BLACKCAPS) 9
5 Shaun Tait (Aus) 8
6= Jacques Kallis (SA) 7
6= Muttiah Muralidaran (SL) 7
6= Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) 7
9= Mohammad Ashraful (Bang) 6
9= Shane Bond (BLACKCAPS) 6
9= Paul Collingwood (Eng) 6
9= AB de Villiers (SA) 6
for World Cup statistics and schedule
