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The overnight roller-coaster of New Zealand's Cricket World Cup final loss to England has left Kiwi supporters emotionally drained.
Sleep deprivation was the likely culprit as Kiwi cricket supporters aired a full spectrum of emotions following their heartbreaking World Cup final loss to England.
Those who woke up to the result felt the same bitter disappointment as those who sat through the overnight mid-winter vigil.
Incredulity and hollowness from many supporters contrasted with pride and a sense of pity from others after Kane Williamson's underdog team came up painstakingly short at Lord's.
They finished runners-up for a second straight tournament, beaten by England's superior boundary count after both teams couldn't be separated following 100 overs and then two super overs.
The countback rule was the subject of most vilification, with former Black Cap Scott Styris venting his disdain in a tweet to the sport's governing body.
"Nice work @ICC ... you are a joke!!!"
Actor Sam Neill, a noted cricket fan, was among those full of praise for a team largely written off a week ago before producing a stunning semi-final upset of India.
He joined those praising Williamson and the players for their fighting qualities and then the acceptance of a gut-wrenching outcome.
"Great ambassadors. Couldn't be more proud. Gracious in the narrowest of defeats," Neill tweeted.
New Zealand Sports Minister Grant Robertson, who was at Lord's echoed that sentiment.
"I think that was probably the greatest game of one-day cricket ever played and for New Zealand to be part of it is something really special," he told Radio NZ.
"They are loved by other fans all around the world because of the way they play the game."
Those who chose to stay awake from 10pm to 6.30am before heading off to work were advised to be gentle with each other by a Kiwi psychologist.
Kyle MacDonld told the New Zealand Herald that absorbing a series of highs and lows, in conjunction with no sleep, is a recipe for trouble.
"Recognise anger and irritability is likely to show up but to be aware of that," he said.
"Be aware that you're not going to be as sharp today so be careful while driving and recognise tiredness tends to make it harder for us to regulate our emotions."
