New Zealand have secured a place in their first World Cup final after securing a thrilling win against South Africa at Eden Park.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, and scored 3/216 off 38 overs before rain forced the game to be shortened to 43 overs per side, from which South Africa scored 5/281 off 43 overs, revised to a target of 298 off 43 overs for New Zealand.
On the second last ball, Grant Elliott scored six runs to win a cliffhanger by four wickets via the Duckworth Lewis method.
For this, New Zealand enter their first World Cup Final on Sunday in Melbourne.
New Zealand face South Africa at Auckland’s Eden Park in a semi-final to decide which team will make their first ever appearance in a World Cup final. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11:30am (AEDT).
New Zealand have won every match and ticked every box required of them this tournament.
In the space of seven games, they’ve showcased the ability to bat dynamically, bowl incisively, field with the enthusiasm of bloodhounds (a trait that has never changed about New Zealand cricket), and win both one-sided and tight games.
In this World Cup, the Proteas have managed to enter the same scenario as undefeated New Zealand, despite enduring defeats against India and Pakistan during the group stages. While questions remain about elements of South Africa’s gameplay, what we also realise is how they accomplished a major psychological hurdle last week in thrashing Sri Lanka.
Having shed the monkey and got the taste of victory in a World Cup knockout game, there will be no fear coming to Auckland.
That is the underlying element to all this – fear. Having ‘overachieved’ for so long, New Zealand now have genuine expectation of bettering their Cup record of six semi-finals and finally entering a decider. No changes are expected to the line-up, and the team will be pleased at the plethora of match-winning options at their disposal, with Martin Guptill’s historic innings against the West Indies still fresh in the mind in a game where both Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson failed to fire.
On the bowling side, Adam Milne will be persevered with, in the hope he fires should any of Tim Southee, Trent Boult or Daniel Vettori fail to.
South Africa know that one victory does not mean anything in the wider context, especially in a knockout format. Coming to Auckland, as Australia would attest, is not an easy task, not least for the unique ground dimensions as well as the partisan crowd. Australia made the mistake of underestimating the bowling assistance on offer while trying to target the short boundaries, and were dismissed cheaply. South Africa’s challenge will be to avoid that.
South Africa will likely keep the same XI, with the only possible change being the return of Vernon Philander from injury in place of Kyle Abbott. This is the difficult option for coach Russell Domingo, as while Philander is regularly the favoured option, Abbott has been a wonderful substitute and does not deserve to lose his place.
The Proteas have been well served by their batting options down to Rilee Rossouw at six, with the duo of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers guaranteed to give New Zealand’s bowlers their sternest test yet.
In the bowling, it was South Africa’s spinners, not pacemen, who grabbed the headlines against Sri Lanka. While Morne Morkel has been reliably consistent this tournament, Dale Steyn is yet to peak. Such a prospect is daunting as South Africa require more from their talisman. But the real boon has been the form of leg spinner Imran Tahir, who may be the deciding factor in South Africa’s line-up in the way Mushtaq Ahmed, Shane Warne and Brad Hogg were in previous World Cups.
New Zealand are nominal favourites, given their form and home-ground advantage. Yet the pressure cooker of a knockout game against a side that has finally cracked the code to survive in this format makes for a slightly nervous encounter for the home team.
With two blasters in McCullum and de Villiers, a fast and powerful pace attack, and intelligent spin options, splitting these two is impossible. With a maiden World Cup Final appearance on the line, both will be playing for history, and that cannot be measured by any analysis.
Common Sense
Guest
Every team that bats second knows what to target and how to pace it. That's how cricket works...
richard
Guest
Sad to see the Proteas players at the end of the game.A humble and classy group for sure. Maybe you will get your revenge v us later in the year.
JGK
Roar Guru
DL is constantly updated so "modern" scores are taken into account. Arguably there might be a lag but it is clearly the best system available. In the end, NZ scored 28 more runs in 1 less ball yesterday. It doesn't really scream "unfair to South Africa".
tinfoil hat
Guest
You mean bad luck in that the rain magically and surprisingly appeared out of nowhere? Bad luck that the SA team had no idea the forecast rain was on its way and was unable to send a message out the the batsmen to step on the gas as soon as the forecast rain was spotted on the radar?
Coconut
Guest
I really don't understand that line of argument - of course they knew how much they had to get and how they might pace it... every team that chases a score knows this, so how is this any different? Of course people forget McCullums bludgeoning of the attack through 26 odd balls at the beginning, which is his customary way. The South African bowler knew the maths too, yet were unable to contain the opening attack in the opening rounds. That really set NZ up for the win, as they did not go too well through the middle stages really. I know some South African supporters are upset with the D/L system, but that is the reality of it, yes South were slightly disadvatanged (by about 10 additional runs, according to some claculations), but then Miller knocked the fastest 49 runs seen at this tournament.. they knew what they had to do - it just wasn't enough by the end with the dropped catches etc.
Apparantly you may use the T word, but not me, so my response was pulled
JeffRo
Roar Pro
Just home from Eden Park, after witnessing a fantastic sporting occasion. The crowd was incredible, the game unbelievable. I doubt I will ever attend a better game in any sport. It was anticipated that the Blackcaps could go deep into the tournament and our dreams have come true. And the way they have reached the final, means they are very worthy and well capable of hoisting the cup this weekend. Cricket in New Zealand has received a shot in the arm of a magnitude that couldn't have been dreamt of. We all knew a home World Cup would do good things for the game, but the wave of excitement and interest has exceeded the wildest of expectations. Will be watching on Thursday with interest. I'm turning in now, dreaming about a night I will never forget.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
1273 comments!!! This must be a record. It was an insane game of cricket. If Australia v India is just as good it might go down as one of the best World Cups ever.
spruce moose
Guest
Hmm...I'm not so sure about that john. South Africa went from 110 to 218 in 16 overs. They were on the charge in the same manner as most teams have been in this World Cup. We've seen australia, nz and South Africa score 2.5 times there 30over score in 20 overs several times this tournament. Not taking anything away from nz at all....bloody awesome win, but harsha is right. The d/l system is definitely the best but probably isn't accurately reflecting the new dynamics of cricket. It is after all a system designed in an era of 5 fielders outside the ring, no power plays, and single ball innings. South Africa were not able to play a full power play...a big factor that the current dl system overlooks. Full credit to nz though, I think they would have won with any total....they are playing cricket as if it is destiny at the moment.
Vikram
Guest
Wow loss to ind pak nz yet ............. Come on this rsa side is not as good as the other in past
Nudge
Guest
Well in the previous 5 overs before the rain delay RSA scored 50 runs and were seemingly not going fully hard.
spruce moose
Guest
Andrew Strauss would have been a nice partner for Graeme smith in tests.
You are really going to use that?
Miles
Guest
Get over it mate. That was 30 yrs ago. Im a Kiwi.
jamesb
Guest
Renegade You just have to hang in there mate. They will win one eventually.
ethan
Guest
Fair play mate I wasn't trying to suggest NZ didn't deserve it and you make a good case. Just thought it was an interesting point to raise on the D/L system and the changing modern game.
Bobbo7
Guest
Your boys were unlucky biltongbek. No shame in that loss.
maximillian
Guest
are you serious? After the brilliant start from McCullum the scoreboard pressure wasn't as great so NZ were able to pace their innings with minimal risks. I always felt NZ was in front during that run chase & only some desperate fielding in the outfield & brilliant death bowling from Morkel kept the Saffas in it. Tht was NZs game to lose IMO.
Slane
Guest
Underarm bowling?
John Hamilton
Roar Pro
I'm not so sure. South Africa were 216 after 38 overs. This would equate to something like 340-350 had they got a full 50 overs. So say hypothetically South Africa would have scored 350 (To do this they would have had to get 12 an over for the last 12 overs). This is a run rate of 7 per over. NZ finished with a run rate of 6.98. Either way it is incredibly close. I am aware South Africa batted 5 more overs and blasted 60 odd but they did so with the knowledge the match would be 43 overs. Had the match still been 50 overs, they wouldn't have been as aggressive in those 5 extra overs