BackNew Zealand head to maiden World Cup final after thrilling finish
South Africa had their moments, but they failed to hold to any of those chances
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Grant Elliott was the man of the moment as he calmly led New Zealand to a 4-wicket win over South Africa in the first semi-final at Eden Park. Elliott remained unbeaten on 84, while Daniel Vettori, who got a crucial boundary in the last over of the match, was his partner at the other end.
The New Zealand chase got off to a usually blistering start, courtesy captain Brendon McCullum. McCullum was severe against anything loose from the South African pace bowlers, pummelling them to all parts of the ground. He reached his fifty in typically hurried fashion, 22 balls to be precise. New Zealand, bringing up their fifty in 4.1 overs and at one stage, were 71/0 after 5 overs.
The South Africans did try and claw themselves back into the game, with spin and a maiden over from Imran Tahir paid off with a wicket at the other end, where McCullum, trying to clear mid-on holed out to Dale Steyn. Steyn, had a wretched start to his opening spell, his figures reading 3 overs for 39 runs. Martin Guptill, New Zealand’s hero from the quarter-final win against the West Indies, then took over from McCullum, and kept the scoreboard moving. Morkel struck again, this time removing Kane Williamson for 6, and South Africa were back, surely. A brief partnership between Ross Taylor and Guptill was undone just as it threatened to blossom. The pair added 47-runs, before a run-out ended their stand. In walked Elliott, with his side in a spot of bother. He and Taylor added 21 before the latter was dismissed by JP Duminy, firing one down leg side and the edge, carrying to Quinton de Kock, who moved beautifully across to grab the catch. New Zealand in further trouble there at 149/4.
While Elliott was going about his role in a calm, measured fashion, he was joined by Anderson. The duo began New Zealand’s recovery through decisive running between the wickets - keeping the scoreboard ticking for ones and twos, and interlacing it with some handy boundaries, or in Anderson’s case, the occasional sixers. Anderson in particular was given a lease of life, when AB de Villiers made a mess of a throw from Amla, which he failed to gather, and subsequently, run-out the batsman. Massive moment in the game, given that Anderson’s wicket could have tilted it in South Africa’s favour.
Having been given a lease of life, Anderson cashed in and reached his fifty off 47 balls. Elliott too reached his fifty shortly after off 51 balls, and the duo, firmly set on taking New Zealand home. However, Anderson fell to a fantastic catch by du Plessis off a short delivery from Morkel, with the batsman only managing a top edge, which flew high into the sky. du Plessis judged it perfectly, camped underneath and safely took the catch. South Africa back in the game, needing a further 46 runs to win. Elliott and Anderson added 103 runs for the fifth wicket.
Luke Ronchi joined Elliott for a brief stint and the two got New Zealand closer, before Ronchi holed out to Roussow trying to clear deep midwicket. Ronchi departed for 8, with New Zealand needing a further 29 runs. Daniel Vettori, New Zealand’s most experienced player, then joined Elliott, who now had to take most of the strike for New Zealand to head home. Elliott was dropped in the penultimate over by Behaardein, following a collision with Duminy, the late chance that could have made the difference for South Africa. But it was that kind of night anyway.
The last over was a sight to remember. Dale Steyn charging in to defend 12 runs (or 11, since New Zealand would have gone through with a tie), while Elliott and Vettori, doggedly trying to get the Kiwis over the line. After a great start to the over – only two singles off the first two deliveries, Vettori got into the act, squeezing the yorker from Steyn for four, perfectly placed left of the third man fielder. The following ball, the duo sneaked a bye. Most importantly, with 5 runs to get off 2 deliveries, Elliott was the man on strike. Steyn ran-in hard, despite a seemingly dodgy hamstring, and did what many would least expect him to, given the situation – bowl length. Elliott, went deep into the crease and smoked it over wide long-on for a six. New Zealand win by six wickets and through to the final.
South Africa had their moments, both early and during the course of the run-chase. But they failed to hold to any of those chances, which proved pivotal in the end. New Zealand, in the meanwhile, remained unbeaten in their campaign.
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