As It Happened: New Zealand vs South Africa, 1st Semi-Final Match in Auckland
Live cricket score and ball-by-ball commentary of the 1st World Cup semi-final match between New Zealand and South Africa at the Eden Park, Auckland on Tuesday.
Johannesburg-born Grant Elliott hit a six off the penultimate ball to take New Zealand into their first World Cup final when they defeated the Proteas by four wickets in a rain-hit semi-final thriller at Eden Park on Tuesday. Catch all the highlight of the match here: (SCORECARD | SCHEDULE)
Elliott smashed Dale Steyn into the stands as the South African native hit an undefeated 84 to earn a place in Sunday's title match in Melbourne where New Zealand will face either Australia or defending champions India.
Brendon McCullum made a 26-ball 59 and Corey Anderson (58) to also help the Black Caps to their rain-adjusted target of 298 after South Africa had made 281 for five batting first in a match reduced to 43 overs a side.
For South Africa, Faf de Plessis made 82, AB de Villiers was not out 65, while David Miller smashed an 18-ball 49.
Live Score - New Zealand vs South Africa
That wraps up the coverage for the first semifinal. India take on Australia in the second semifinal at the SCG on the 26th of March. Another grueling encounter as India are in red hot form and Australia will be a tough nut to crack in their own backyard. Join us back for that game at 0900 IST. Until then, it's goodbye.
Spare a thought for the South Africans who have played some determined cricket in this World Cup. Faf and Amla have played some graceful innings this World Cup. The young Quinton de Kock showed his class in the quarterfinal and Miller and Duminy have been great in the death overs. Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel were amongst the wicket takers whereas Dale Steyn was fierce as ever. The emotional outburst in the end of the semifinal just showed what it meant for them to enter the finals. The Proteas have not won the World Cup but surely won many hearts especially the Superman named AB de Villiers. Take a bow Saffas!
Man of the Match, Grant Elliott said it was great. He thinks the win is not just for the team but everyone who is out there. He added it is a great feeling when 45000 people support you on every ball. He also praised Anderson for rotating the strike well.
New Zealand started off well with McCullum and Guptill being at their usual best. They tore the Proteas pace attack and forced de Villiers to bring in Tahir within the Mandatory Powerplay. Guptill and Taylor steadied the innings in the middle order but a misunderstanding cost Guptill his wicket. Then Elliott and Anderson came together to stitch in a 103-run stand off 98 balls to bring them close to the finishing line. In the end the veteran Dan and Elliott held their nerves and got over the finishing line to take the Kiwis to their first World Cup final.
Phew! What a game of cricket! Really went right down to the wire and it's New Zealand who have handled pressure well to come out trumps. It was a game worthy of a semifinal and congratulations to both teams for putting up a great show. It's unfortunate that one team has to lose and it's South Africa today. They are deeply disappointed but they have themselves to blame at the end of the day. Too many dropped catches at crucial stages and it proved fatal.
SIX! ELLIOTT, YOU BEAUTY! NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 4 WICKETS AND ENTER THE 2015 WORLD CUP FINALS! Steyn delivers a back of a length ball around off, Elliott holds back and launches it way into the night sky. Way she goes into the stands at long on and the crowd is going bonkers. Elliott screams in joy, Steyn is down in disappointment. The South African players are in tears. Heart breaking moment for them.
5 needed off 2! A big ball coming up....
Nerves everywhere! Steyn ups his pace and delivers a short ball around off, Vettori fails to connect with his pull shot and Elliott calls him through for a bye.
FOUR! What a vital boundary by Dan! A very full ball wide outside off, Vettori reaches out for it and squeezes it out through the gap at backward point for a boundary.
Oh dear, Dale Steyn is struggling with his hamstring and the physio is called. Last thing South Africa will wish is to get their ace bowler injured at this crucial stage of the match. 10 needed off 4! Steyn is back on his feet and he steams in...