Like it or not, we are viewed as boorish, charmless winners whose snarling sledges, send-offs and generally ugly behaviour say more about us than our record of prolonged success.

Mike Walters in The Daily Mirror was strident in his criticism of the Aussies’ on-field chat, juxtaposed so neatly by the sportsmanship and classy touches shown by our New Zealand rivals.

“Well done, chaps — the best team won the World Cup, which is exactly as it should be. And, my goodness, Australian cricket has cultivated another extravagant assortment of gifts.

“One conspicuous difference between mother country and champions has not escaped international attention: Boring, boring England were useless but boorish, boorish Australia were not above criticism.

“Not for the first time, when the conquerors’ mask slipped, Straya could not resist the temptation to underline their superiority with gloating send-offs, even in a one-sided final where New Zealand never got out of the blocks.

The eyes have it. Grant Elliott’s intense stare at Brad Haddin tell its own story.Source: News Corp Australia

“When Martin Guptill was bowled by Glenn Maxwell, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin appeared to taunt him by clapping in his face like a performing seal.

“Contrast the fate of Black Caps top scorer Grant Elliott, serenaded with verbals on his dismissal, with four New Zealand players lining up to shake Australian captain Michael Clarke’s hand when he was out just eight runs short of the chequered flag.”

It’s clear Haddin’s antics didn’t go down too well across the ditch, if this image of the Dominion Post’s front page is anything to go by.