NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan praised the team’s fighting spirit following their defeat in the ICC Champions Trophy final.

The Black Caps were hit hard by injuries during the two-week tournament and had to take the field in Centurion without captain Daniel Vettori, who was ruled out with a hamstring strain.

And despite the loss Vaughan insists the team should be proud of their achievements in the tournament.

"Of course the team is disappointed to have lost the final. But the Australian side has set the benchmark and played exceptionally well throughout the tournament," he said.

"The Black Caps showed a lot of grit and fought hard. New Zealanders can be proud that their side has performed well during this competition - beating three top-ranked sides in must-win matches and making it to the final.

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"Having been hit so hard by injuries during the tournament, the team has battled against the odds and shown great character."

Jacob Oram (hamstring), Jesse Ryder (groin), Daryl Tuffey (broken hand), Grant Elliott (broken thumb) and Vettori all succumbed to injury in South Africa, although Elliott had painkilling injections to enable him to play in the semi-final and final.

New Zealand won three of their five games, recording wins over Sri Lanka and England after an opening-game loss to South Africa in the group stages.

They then defeated Pakistan in the semi-final to set up the final meeting with Australia.

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A number of the players now travel to India to compete in the Twenty20 Champions League.

Brendon and Nathan McCullum, Ian Butler, Neil Broom and Aaron Redmond will link up with the Otago Volts, while Scott Styris, who was brought to South Africa as cover for Elliott, will return the Deccan Chargers.

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