Cricket World Cup: New Zealand into final | CNN

Cricket World Cup: New Zealand into final after thrilling win

4 minute read
Updated 9:05 AM EDT, Tue March 24, 2015
Grant Elliott was the hero as New Zealand booked a place in the cricket World Cup final for the first time ever, edging out South Africa in a thrilling encounter.
Kiwi joy —
Grant Elliott was the hero as New Zealand booked a place in the cricket World Cup final for the first time ever, edging out South Africa in a thrilling encounter.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Batting first, South Africa were motoring along until a two-hour rain break disrupted its momentum. It finished on 281 after 43 overs, a target increased to 298 due to the Duckworth/Lewis method of calculation used when weather affects games. Faf du Plessis top scored with 82.
Minimum of Faf —
Batting first, South Africa were motoring along until a two-hour rain break disrupted its momentum. It finished on 281 after 43 overs, a target increased to 298 due to the Duckworth/Lewis method of calculation used when weather affects games. Faf du Plessis top scored with 82.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
The hosts came hurtling out of the traps, captain Brendon McCullum smashing a half-century in just 22 balls, but it was struggling at 149-4 when Elliott came to the crease.
Fast start —
The hosts came hurtling out of the traps, captain Brendon McCullum smashing a half-century in just 22 balls, but it was struggling at 149-4 when Elliott came to the crease.
MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images
Elliott, who survived a run out scare and a dropped catch, judged his innings perfectly and struck the decisive blow from the penultimate ball. His six off Dale Steyn secured victory and sent the crowd in Auckland wild.
Great Grant —
Elliott, who survived a run out scare and a dropped catch, judged his innings perfectly and struck the decisive blow from the penultimate ball. His six off Dale Steyn secured victory and sent the crowd in Auckland wild.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Steyn lies devastated after South Africa's defeat. It was the fourth time it had been beaten at the semifinal stage in the one-day tournament.
A permanent Steyn —
Steyn lies devastated after South Africa's defeat. It was the fourth time it had been beaten at the semifinal stage in the one-day tournament.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
New Zealand's players celebrate after its win. McCullum told the crowd the Kiwi players were enjoying "the greatest time of our lives." It will face either India or fellow hosts Australia in Sunday's final.
The final instalment —
New Zealand's players celebrate after its win. McCullum told the crowd the Kiwi players were enjoying "the greatest time of our lives." It will face either India or fellow hosts Australia in Sunday's final.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Kiwis into cricket World Cup final

Story highlights

New Zealand edge a thriller against South African to reach cricket World Cup final

Grant Elliott hits a six in the final over to seal Kiwi victory in front of Auckland crowd

South Africa had posted a total of 281 in a rain affected match

New Zealand will face either Australia or India in the final on March 29

CNN  — 

New Zealand are on course for a first ever World Cup title after a thrilling semifinal victory over South Africa, secured off the penultimate ball of the match.

Chasing an adjusted target of 298 in just 43 overs after a rain interrupted the match at Eden Park, Grant Elliott hit a six right at the death to confirm victory and send the Auckland crowd into raptures.

It is the first time New Zealand has ever reached a World Cup final, and it will play either Australia or India on Sunday. Te pair face each other in Sydney on Thursday.

Not the first time in the sport, rain played a part. South Africa were motoring with the bat before a two-hour delay for poor weather.

Though its total was escalated by the Duckworth/Lewis method – used to calculate a revised target in the event of a rain delay – New Zealand held firm thanks to Elliott.

His 84 not out underpinned its innings and it was fitting that he delivered the final blow, smashing Dale Steyn for six off the second last ball to spark jubilant scenes at Eden Park.

“I don’t think this win is for myself or the team, but everyone here,” Elliott said at the post-match presentation. “The supporters have been amazing.

“I think we timed the pace of the innings to perfection. I wasn’t as calm as I looked. When you have 45,000 fans screaming at you every ball…

“It has been an absolute pleasure playing in front of this crowd. We have had a good run. It is the first final we have been in as New Zealand.

“We are a very level team, we will approach it as any other game. Nothing going in my mind when I hit the six. I don’t even know where the ball went.”

South Africa, who themselves have never reached the final, have been accused of choking in past installments of the one-day competition.

But that indictment cannot be leveled at it after one of the most dramatic matches in World Cup history.

It had recovered from 114-3 in the 27th over to 216-3 after 38 overs thanks to some fierce hitting from captain AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, before the rain came.

With the game stopped for two hours, it finally reached 281 off its reduced 43 overs, du Plessis top scoring with 82.

New Zealand’s target was upgraded via Duckworth/Lewis, a calculation that takes into account how many overs were left and how many wickets had been lost, to 298.

Kiwi skipper Brendan McCullum got it off to a fast start with a 22-ball half-century but after he was dismissed it wobbled, and needed 139 from 22 overs.

But Elliott was the steadying hand, judging his innings perfectly.

And though he was dropped in the penultimate over, he struck the telling blow off Steyn to seal victory and inflict a fourth semifinal defeat on South Africa.

“It was a great advertisement for cricket,” McCullum said at the post-match presentation. “Everybody involved will remember this for the rest of their lives.

“What a great innings from Grant. He came out of wilderness not long ago. The greatest time of our lives. We have enjoyed the experience.

“I hope the crowds are all dreaming the way we are. Gee it would be nice to win it. We don’t mind whom we face in the final.

“They are both quality sides, but we know if we play the way we want to we are a good chance.”

Should Australia beat India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, then the joint hosts of the World Cup will meet in the final in Melbourne.

“It was an amazing game of cricket,” AB de Villiers said. “Probably the most electric crowd I have ever heard in my life. I guess the best team has come out on top. We gave it our best. No regrets.

“We left it all out there. It is hurting. It is going to take a while to recover. The bigger picture is for the people back home. We play for them. I hope they can still be proud of us.”