With the buzz on Twitter surrounding the New Zealand vs South Africa game growing, I had to see what was happening. It was the first time I had switched on the World Cup, and what I witnessed was amazing.
I was formerly a big cricket fan, and dabble occasionally in Test cricket, but I lost interest in the shorter forms a long time ago – I just didn’t care about the result of a 50-over game enough to be bother watching.
But the result of this game was the cause of some phenomenal tension between New Zealand and South Africa.
Neither side had reached a World Cup final before, and you could see terror, fear, bravery and nerves in each and every pair of eyes on the field.
It was not much different as a viewer. The deep breaths as the bowler started a run-up, and release as a wicket fell, a brilliant piece of fielding saving a run, or a boundary was scored. Every single action drew an emotional reaction. It was compelling.
In the last few balls, you still had a feeling South Africa were going to be OK, but with that final twist in the plot, a Grant Elliot six for New Zealand, and we jumped up roaring as if we had just scored the winning runs ourselves. A huge emotional surge of excitement for a sport, a country, and a player I have absolutely no ties to. It was an amazing moment, and it transcended an athletic genre, it was tension compatible with anyone.
There have been some memorable moments in sport over the years when it comes to high tension and a compelling plot. What have been some of your favourite moments, where you spent most the time on the edge of your seat, and finished jumping in the air, yelling at the TV?
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