Press Trust of India
Auckland, March 24: Co-hosts New Zealand scripted history Tuesday by making their maiden cricket World Cup final appearance with a stunning four-wicket win in a nerve-wracking last-four clash against the formidable South Africa, finally shedding the tag of perennial under-achievers in the mega event.
Chasing a stiff target of 298 runs in 43 overs under the Duckworth/Lewis rule in the rain-curtailed game, New Zealand crossed the line when Grant Elliot 84 smashed Dale Steyn over long-on for a six with just one ball to spare in a thrilling showdown.
Needing 12 to win off six balls, Dan Vettori found the fence to bring the equation down to five from two balls, before Elliot hit the winning runs as Eden Park broke into wild celebrations.
Earlier, David Miller had blazed his way to a 18-ball 49 as the Proteas set a difficult target. Opting to bat, South Africa notched up 281 for five, but the target was revised under the D/L method after seven overs each were deducted per side following a two-hour rain interruption.
Skipper AB de Villiers made an unbeaten 65 (45b, 8×4, 1×6) while Faf du Plessis (87, 102b, 7×4, 1×6) emerged the top scorer, but it was Miller’s innings that gave Proteas the much-needed impetuous towards the end.
In reply, the New Zealanders were off to a flying start with skipper Brendon McCullum (59, 26b, 8×4, 4×6) going hammer and tongs at the South African pacers, especially Steyn. The Kiwi opened hit Steyn for 25 runs in the fifth over of the innings, the most that the South African pacer has conceded in a single over in his illustrious career.
Elliott and Corey Anderson (58, 57b, 6×4) played smartly after the South Africans had fought back to reduce the hosts to 149 for four in the 22nd over. The two put on 103 runs to inch their side to victory, mixing caution with aggression.
By the time Anderson was the fifth man out, New Zealand needed 46 runs from 30 balls, standing a very good chance of crossing the line. Elliott ensured he finished the task by staying till the very end. The turning point of the match however, came in the 32nd over when De Villiers missed a simple run out chance with Anderson well short at the non-striker’s end. He missed the throw from point and in the process knocked over the ball with his hand.
Earlier, Miller clobbered six fours and three sixes, narrowly missing out on equalling the record for fastest World Cup fifty. Thanks to his blitzkrieg, South Africa, who were 184 for three at the end of 35th over, scored 65 runs in the last five overs.
South Africa had started badly with Trent Boult (2/53) sending back both the openers, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock early.
