New Zealand have booked their berth in the cricket World Cup final, Grant Elliott closing out victory over South Africa with a six off the penultimate ball.
Elliott’s decisive blow against the country of his birth gave New Zealand a four-wicket win in Auckland on Tuesday.
Set a challenging target of 298 in a semi-final reduced by rain to 43 overs a side, the Black Caps got a blazing start from skipper Brendon McCullum.
Elliott and Corey Anderson then combined for a fifth-wicket century partnership to keep the home side in with a chance.
Anderson had a huge reprieve on 33, when well short of his ground, but Proteas skipper AB de Villiers lost the ball in trying to effect a run-out.
When Anderson fell for 58, New Zealand needed 46 from 30 balls.
Elliott had a life with seven balls to go as JP Duminy and substitute fielder Farhaan Behardien collided when going for a catch.
That left the equation at 12 needed from the final over.
A Daniel Vettori boundary through third man and then a single made it five from two balls, before Elliott lofted the ball over the long-on boundary to finish unbeaten on 84, with New Zealand on 6-299.
McCullum got the chase off to a rollicking start when he smacked the third ball he faced over the rope beyond extra cover.
The opener continued his assault, taking 24 off one Dale Steyn over with shots around the ground.
But Steyn had a role in removing McCullum, taking the catch at mid-on off Morne Morkel.
McCullum’s quick-fire 59 came off 26 balls, 12 of which went for boundaries, including four sixes.
Morkel struck against soon after, removing new batsman Kane Williamson for six.
Opener Martin Guptill followed his World Cup record knock of 237 not out by going past 500 runs for the tournament.
But after he was run out for 34 and Ross Taylor departed for 30, the Proteas appeared in the driving seat at 4-149.
New Zealand have now reached the final for the first time after seven semi-final appearances.
They will meet either defending champions India or four-time winners Australia in Melbourne on Sunday.
The Duckworth-Lewis method came into play after South Africa’s innings was disrupted by a two-hour rain delay.
When the players came back out, the Proteas smashed 65 runs from their remaining five overs to end on 5-281.
It was big-hitting David Miller who pumped the accelerator in the closing stages.
Miller smacked 49 from 18 balls, before being caught behind going for another big hit.
Before the wet weather arrived, de Villiers and Faf du Plessis had set South Africa towards a big total after upping the tempo and taking their stand past 100.
De Villiers, who ended unbeaten on 65, had a life on 38 when he thrashed an Anderson delivery to cover, but Williamson couldn’t hold on to the chance.
He responded to the let-off by hitting the next three balls of the over for a six and two fours to bring up a 32-ball half-century.
Du Plessis fell for 82 to the first delivery he faced after the resumption, caught behind off Anderson, who was expensive but ended with three wickets.
Earlier, South Africa lost openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock cheaply after winning the toss.
Seamer Trent Boult, the tournament’s top wicket-taker, claimed both scalps to take his tournament tally to 21.
Bobbo7
Guest
Agree Ronan, arguably India have the better form than Australia. But no real pressure on NZ, rusted on fans like me are just happy they made the final in the fashion they have. If they give it a good crack and lose then so be it
Huupz
Guest
So many posts talking about the rain winning the game for NZ. Give it a rest. Both teams played epic cricket and both teams made mistakes and there wasn't much splitting them in the end. To those saying SA didn't know they were going to lose 7 overs from rain well you'd think someone would've had a look at the weather radar constantly during the day and factor the strong possibility of rain into the game plan and tell the batsmen to attack earlier. And to say they could've made 380 or 400 well they could've collapsed and got bowled out for 280 as well and NZ reaching 300 off 43 suggests that 350+ was attainable for them. So condolences that SA lost but smile and appreciate a great match played by 2 great teams that could have gone either way.
Skrupu
Guest
The black caps have been attacking from the first ball of the innings the entire World Cup. To hint that the black caps would not have been able to chase 350+ from 50 overs is a bit of a stretch, to me it looked like the teams were evenly matched very little separating them and to score 299 off 43 suggests 350+ was attainable. Oh and they scored 393 a few days ago
Bring on the Rugby World Cup
Guest
What a great FINAL! From here on in who gives a toss! These are the two teams that should have been in the FINAL. NZ's beaten Australia and Australia thrashed India in the recent one way series, this is just an anti-climax from here. AB De Villiers and Brendon McCullum's batting have been the outstanding feature of the pyjama game. While Sir Daniel Vettori has been the quiet plodder, the real NZer, the quiet humble farming type with the under-stated catch of the series.Yes the Geoff Rabones, Murray Chapples, Guy Overtons, Frank Mooneys, Bert Sutcliffs will be rumbling with pride today with this outcome when thinking back to the Ellis Park epic of 1953.
Riccardo
Guest
Johnno, put down the Absinthe. It's actually Turps mate...
SpongeBob
Guest
The games in Aus are what counts as that's where the final is though. Even though for some reason we are having weird pitches that don't suit us?! Not like India are going to serve up a grass topped deck when we go there. Not saying doctor the pitches, but some have seemingly strayed from their traditional form and are far more opposition friendly then usual.
Bamboo
Guest
I'd go straight for the poke
Bamboo
Guest
Meh Australian sports fans - its like fishing with dynamite.
Tiger
Guest
WHAT A GAME! Both teams were brilliant but unfortunately there has to be loser. Thank you Black Caps, thank you Proteas. The emotional roller coaster ride you took me on today will never be forgotten. I doubt my neighbors will ever forget hearing my screams of joy, disappointment, anger, etc during the course of the game. You can hold your heads up high Proteas there was no choking on part. The game could have gone your way but it didn't, it was just our turn today. A lot posters doing the whole hypothetical thing. No one will ever know what would have happened if the weather had stayed good, or if catches were taken or run outs executed, bottom line, one team lost, one team won. It is what it is. I can't wait for the next game and the final. I hope both games are as entertaining if not better than what was produced today. I thought I'd never say this, but kudos to the Auckland public, you really put on a great show. GO BLACK CAP's!
Buzzard
Guest
Sorry bro but NZ into the final so Sth Africa did lose......unfortunately, because what a game, great sportsmanship!!!
Bobbo7
Guest
I think NZ will be tough to beat. Won't be a walk in the park
Harry Jones
Expert
Go NZ!
VL98
Guest
trans tasman final? You are going too far ahead. the next match (AUS v IND) is the match of the tournament in terms of the huge expectations from both sides. Its as monumental as a final. If India lost, they(fans) would cry to death.
Elma Dudd
Guest
I'm not sure why any of you guys bother with this serial pest . To ignore it would be the best comeback . Anyway It's probably boof Lehman hoping the Aussies read this blog and it fires them up .
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"No pressure on nz now. They’ve come this far…." I think that's overstating it a little as obviously NZ playing their first WC final in front of 100,000 people at the 'G will be a pressure-packed environment. But I do agree that winning such a close contest like this semi, and finally ending their run of losing semis, should have taken a lot of weight off their shoulders. Now they have four days to soak it up, refocus and then throw everything at India/Aus. The great thing about this Black Caps team is you know they'll have a massive crack and be very entertaining in the process. I've wanted an Aus-NZ final all along and now we're 50% of the way there. Big hurdle still to overcome though as India are in rampant form.
bilal
Guest
Yes sir I dont deal in "ifs" as such only certainty.
VL98
Guest
The fact is.. 'All close D/L games are messed up.' The results are often unfortunate for 1 team or the other. The result may be hypothetical, but we know that rain gave some advantage. Human brain is tuned to 'accepting the fate'. Hence everyone says 'NZ deserved to win.' If SA won, they would say 'SA deserved to win.'
13th Man
Guest
Not necessarily, SA may have done badly in final 7 overs who knows? Its all hypothetical, NZ won because they deserved to. The rain didn't save NZ, 298 in 43 overs is a hard chase Elliott was fantastic and BMac was once again brilliant at the top. Now come on Aussies make it a trans tasman final!
Johnno
Guest
Only the last 10 years, has the Ashes obsession happened, since 2005. Before that it was the ODI World Cup.
Danno74
Guest
Unlucky South Africa, would have made 350 if not for the rain. Whoever wins between Australia and India will win the final, 2 strongest teams.