In a twist of fate, South Africa was blasted out of the World Cup by Johannesburg-born Kiwi Grant Elliott, whose unbeaten 84 saw him named man of the match.
Elliott migrated to New Zealand in 2001 to improve his cricket, made his Test debut in a black cap against England at Napier in 2008, and his ODI debut against Pakistan at Wellington in 2009.
But nothing matched last night’s heroics.
South Africa, having won the toss and batted first at Eden Park, set the Black Caps 298 to win in 43 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method, after losing 90 minutes to rain.
Faf du Plessis top scored, with 82 off 107 featuring 7 boundaries and a six. Skipper AB de Villiers smacked 65 off 45 with 8 fours and a six, Rilee Rossouw’s 39 off 53 was handy until left-handed David Miller set Eden Park alight with a champagne dig of 49 off just 19, with 6 fours and 3 huge sixes.
Magnificent batting. Miller rose to the occasion after the rain break, treating the Kiwi attack with disdain.
Trent Boult went to the top of the tournament’s wicket takers with his 2-53 off nine, while left-armer Corey Anderson’s 3-72 off six were expensive, but he had to contend with the on-fire Miller.
With the run chase still a big ask under the conditions, the Kiwis had the raucous support of a full house.
Skipper Brendon McCullum gave his side a rollicking start by getting stuck into Dale Steyne and Vernon Philander on his way to 59 off just 26 with 8 fours and 4 sixes. Had McCullum stayed around for another half-a-dozen overs, the chase would have been severely dented.
But when Kane Williamson (6) went early and Ross Taylor stupidly ran out Martin Guptill (34), and then lost his own wicket for 30, the Kiwis were well behind the eight ball at 4-149, with their four best batsmen in the shed.
Then Elliott and Corey Anderson stepped up to the plate in a breezy 103-run partnership off 16.2 overs that got the Black Caps in with a rough chance.
Both were superb, cut to size by constantly brilliant South African fielding. But Elliott and Anderson were made of stern stuff.
Anderson was first to go on 58 off 57 with 6 fours and 2 sixes, and when keeper-batsman Luke Ronchi (8) didn’t last long, it was the ageless Daniel Vettori’s turn.
When they came together, Elliott and Vettori needed 29 off 22 balls to qualify for the final. South Africa just needed dot balls.
Elliott and Vettori took six off the 41st over from Steyn – 23 off 12 needed. They took 11 off Morne Morkel’s over – leaving 12 needed off the final over from a limping Steyn.
They took a bye off the first, Elliott a single off the second, Vettori a back-cut four off the third, and a bye off the fourth.
With two balls left in the game, and the Kiwis needing five runs, Elliott’s career-high moment of glory struck with a vengeance when he deposited Steyn deep over the mid-on fence.
So the Kiwis were into their first World Cup final, as AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel, Faf du Plessis, and Dale Steyn were in a flood of tears – and understandably so.
Not once did they choke, as had been their wont in the past, but they were so close, yet so far in a cracker of a game that will be talked about for years.
Tomorrow at the SCG, Australia take on India for the right to do battle with the over-the-moon Black Caps in Sunday’s decider at the MCG.
Bring it on.
MACDUB
Guest
i'll bite. Ronchi - Averages 31.77 @ 123 SR. High score of 170* Haddin - Averages 31.46 @ 84 SR. High score of 110. Ronchi also actually played very well for Australia. He got MOTM in game 3 of a series against W. clubbing 64 from 28. Ronchi actually has a better Twenty20 average (32) - he smashed 36 off 22 in his first ever T20 for Australia.
MACDUB
Guest
a really great comment*
moaman
Guest
Yup ;-)
Jerry
Guest
ANZUS was a military alliance with NZ, Aus & the US. It got killed after the NZ Labour Govt refused to allow nuclear powered ships into NZ. The trade agreement with NZ & Aus is CER (Closer Economic Relations).
Wii
Guest
Ah no it wasn't, rain was predicted days out from this match and from daybreak on match day. it was very clear that rain was only a matter of time away it was always when not if it was going to rain. How do I know I live in Auckland and it was definitely well noted te the weather before and including match day.
Buk
Guest
The England comment was a classic :)
Buk
Guest
Thanks Moaman - knew Clarrie Grimmett was born there, but not aware he actually learnt his cricket in NZ - bit of an eye-opener for me. I have always thought the ANZUS trade package (if it is still called that) should include a special rugby-cricket trade deal - when our rugby teams are a bit short for depth, we swap some of our non-test cricketers for their non-test rugby players :)
Coconut
Guest
Can someone remind what the score was the last time the Black Caps played the Australians at the MCG? Might be interesting to know who knocked the winning runs there as well....
Hammer
Guest
going to the final to watch my beloved Kiwi's omg wit two best mates... unbelievable. Last year I did dare to predict a possible World Cup Cricket / Rugby double but really just trying to stay humble , cause its the Kiwi way.....bit nervous...It could have been South Africa heading to Melbourne , as we all know..... This World Cup has been amazing and all true cricket and sports lovers have been treated to some exhilarating and skillful play, with all teams including the minnows having some high class players on show. I actually think New Zealand maybe destined to win this ...because they have played as a unit ... for each other , and have learned to stay calm and totally believe in themselves like no other New Zealand cricket team before. And with a captain who leads by example, they love to follow him into battle and give it their all....in their humble Kiwi way
Likkewaan
Roar Rookie
No it doesn't. The argument is that you implied that SAF made the wrong decision to bat first and therefor brought it onto themselves. McCullum said he would also have batted first as well. Defending 350+ plus with 50 overs to bowl them out would be much easier then defending 298 with 43 overs.
Charl
Guest
Agreed KK, but might be a bit early in SA :)
There are opinions and then there are classless snarky comments. Learn the difference and you will see who I turned my anger towards. Anyway, it is what it is, there is my opinions and there are yours. Time to take my leave. Cheers.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"Definitely the rain effected SA’s chances in posting a massive score. The extra 17 runs added to SA’s total did not do their final score justice. But in saying that NZ played better than SA on the day and paced their chase well." So point 2 renders point 1 irrelevant.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Beer is the better option Charl. ;) Good advice.
Charl
Guest
BB my vriend, nie die moeite werd om oor omgeklits te raak nie - sommige lee blikke het dit nodig om altyd die laaste woord in te kry. Ek dink nie dis vir hulle moontlik om te verstaan hoe diep die dinge ons raak nie. Ook nie regtig nodig dat hulle saamstem nie - jy weet mos wat gebeur het. Koppie tee, seun, (of n bier), en ontspan.
WEST
Roar Guru
YEAH BABE!!! What a great game of cricket. Amazed at how composed NZ batters have become, especially Elliott. The Black Caps are looking very determined to get it right. B McCullum is a top Captain, leads by example... Lets his action do most of the talking. Not over yet!!! Australia vs India will be a great game. I'm hoping for an India vs NZ... Only because I like our chances better against India over the ozzies at home. COME ON BLACK CAPS!!!!!!!!
Tiger
Guest
Agree 100% Hume. Biltong, you're more or less saying the Proteas only game plan was based on a 100 over game well, that didn't happen. It rained and the DL system was in play. If the Proteas did not have a wet weather contingency plan then you should be directing your frustrations at SA team management and senior players for lack planning. DL system is something all teams have to live with, like it or not it's what we have at the moment. The game was of the highest quality. The tactical maneuvering between the captains was brilliant. We got the win the this time, I'm sure the Proteas will have their day, probably more than just one. Credit to both teams, they put on a he'll of a show.
2211
Guest
Hi BB, first I want to offer commiserations. Unlike many knock out games last nights game was truely great and one that neither team deserved to lose. I know it is easy to be gracious when your team has won, but I felt genuinely terrible for the SA players (and fans) after the game. Your countrymen played their hearts out and I hope made your country proud through their efforts. I must say I thought Morkel had won it for you with the terrific over he bowled culminating with the Anderson wicket, one of the great pressure spells I have ever seen. I understand the appeal of websites like this (I am a long time reader, but very infrequent commenter and do very much enjoy your and others South Africian perspective) but sometimes I don't understand the second guessing and recriminations that follow a loss like this. Please don't take this as a criticism of your perspective or argument which I completely understand, and I don't aim this question at you specifically but at everyone that, with the benefit of hindsight, is second guessing AB's decision to bat first or the dropped catches or missed run outs. It would have only taken a slight miss judgement on Elliot's part for us to be asking the same questions of the Black Caps. The bottom line is that not every loss in a knock out situation is a choke (as every All a Black supporter knows), and not every missed run out, dropped catch or saved boundary is going to win or lose the game for your team as Kane Williamson is probably thankful for after spilling a chance against the most dangerous batsman in the world during the first innings. As a wise (or at least wonderfully moustachioed) man once said 'sometimes you eat the bar, and well, sometimes the bar eats you'. This should not be a time for recriminations, it should be a time to celebrate one of the truely great cricket matches we will have the privilege of watching. I hope the SA team will be welcomed home as not only great cricketers but as a credit to your nation both on and off the field. 2211.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Good to see you've accepted that you were wrong with your abuse and implied threats of violence towards other Roarers simply expressing their opinions on what is an opinion website.
Good, accept my request for cancellation from this site, I will direct my cowardly comments elsewhere.