Eliot Mahlase
South Africa lost by four wickets against New Zealand in the semi-final round of the Cricket World Cup at Eden Park on Tuesday.
Man of the match Grant Elliott smacked an unbeaten 84 runs of 73 balls to see New Zealand reach the World Cup final for the first time in their history.
The Proteas could nevertheless go home with their heads held high as they had shaken off their chokers tag of not being able to win a knock-out match, After Elliott and Kane Williamson threaten to run away with the game, they managed to crawl their way back into the contest to produce a mouth-watering finish.
AB de Villiers won the toss and elected to bat. This did not appear to be the wisest move as Trent Boult managed to get the wickets of Hashim Amla (10) and Quinton de Kock (14) in quick succession within the first 30 minutes.
The Proteas recovered and reached 100 without losing more wickets before Rilee Rossouw was sent packing for 39.
Faf du Plessis and De Villiers further firmed up the innings with a partnership of 103. Du Plessis was caught after rain delayed play for about two hours. David Miller hit a quick-fire 49 off 18 to eventually see Proteas post 281 for five in their 43 overs.
Overs were reduced due to rain and New Zealand’s target was adjusted to 298.
New Zealand raced to 71 in only five overs in their reply before Brendon McCullum was caught on mid-on by Dale Steyn off the bowling of Morne Morkel.
The next to go was Kane Williamson, bowled by Morkel. The Black Caps re-established their innings when Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor got their partnership over 50. A run-out saw Guptill out for 34.
Ross Taylor soon followed but a match-winning partnership of more than 100 between Elliott and Sean Williamson had the Proteas on the back foot.
A wicket finally arrived when the black caps still needed a 46 of 30. Williamson was caught by Rossouw from a Morkel delivery.
Luke Ronchi was the next batman to depart. He made only seven runs and the game was very much in the balance at that stage.
With 12 runs needed off the final over, Daniel Vettori got a four on the third ball and ran a single on the next delivery. This left Elliott with five runs from two balls, Elliott smacked a huge six off Steyn to see the New Zealand home with four wickets remaining.
New Zealand will now play the winner between India and Australia in the final.
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