New Zealand vs South Africa, Highlights: Grant Elliott Guides Kiwis to Maiden World Cup Final
New Zealand qualify for the final for the first time. Catch all the highlights here.
Grant Elliott hit a match-winning 84 to guide New Zealand to a 4-wicket win over South Africa in the semi-final in Auckland. Catch all the highlights of the match here: (Scorecard | Stats | Schedule)
I must confess there was a big part of me that wanted South Africa to do it today. I admire New Zealand but just too much sentiment with SA
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 24, 2015
Woohoo. Who's coming to Melbourne????
- Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) March 24, 2015
What a game of cricket in NZ, please hold your heads high South Africa, you've done everyone proud as you gave it absolutely everything !! ??
- Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 24, 2015
South Africa DID NOT CHOKE! They got beaten by a better team today...AB led the team wonderfully well! But, well done NZ! See you in Sydney!
- Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 24, 2015
Having played all their matches on small home grounds, New Zealand may not find it that easy at the huge MCG with a hostile crowd.
- Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) March 24, 2015
15:46 (IST): Brendon McCullum: South Africa gave us a tough fight. Really proud of the boys. What a great innings from (Grant) Elliott. He's played a match-winning innings in the semi-final and the partnership he had with Corey (Anderson) was amazing. This is the greatest time of our lives as players. The brand of cricket we have been playing is phenominanl. Hopefully we'll win it in a few days time. We know that if we play good cricket we will have a great chance in the final. We've got an outstanding management with us.
AB de Villiers: It has been an amazing game of cricket, this is probably the most electric crowd I've ever heard in my life. It's hurting that we are going out. That's probably the worst thing of all. The passion did make a big difference, I hope the people back home will be proud of us.
Grant Elliott: This win is for the fans not for me or the team. It's absolute pleasure to play at Eden Park. The supporters have been amazing. I think we timed the pace of the innings to perfection. We have had a good run. It is the first final we have been in. We are a very level team, we will approach it as any other game.
15:30 (IST): Grant Elliott seals it with a huge six over long on off Dale Steyn. Elliott held his nerves with a crucial 84 not out off 73 to guide New Zealand to their maiden World Cup final. South African players are in tears, including their captain AB de Villiers. Corey Anderson also scored a crucial fifty (58) after Brendon McCullum provided a solid start with his quick-fire 59 off 32 balls. Morne Morkel picked up three wickets to keep Proteas in the game but lacked support from the other end.
15:11 (IST): WICKET! Luke Ronchi's short knock has come to an end and Dale Steyn gets a wicket. He pulls it straight to Rilee Rossouw at deep square leg.
15:05 (IST): If the match is tied then New Zealand will qualify for the final because they finished higher in the pool stage.
14:57 (IST): WICKET! Morne Morkel gets the big man. Can this be the moment for South Africa? Morkel bowls a short one again and Corey Anderson (58) top edges pull to square leg. it goes high in the air and Faf du Plessis makes no mistake as he takes a clean catch.
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14:48 (IST): Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott have batted beautifully so far. While Anderson has scored his fourth fifty, Elliott has notched up his eighth.
What a miss by one of the greatest athletes in cricket today! Did AB just er...choke... under pressure?
- Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) March 24, 2015
14:22 (IST): Corey Anderson survives on 33 as AB de Villiers misses an easy run out chance. Is pressure taking a toll on the Proteas captain?
14:16 (IST): FIFTY STAND! Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott have added an all-important 55 runs for the the fifth wicket. They require another 94 in 70 balls.
13:55 (IST): All eyes are on Corey Anderson as Kiwis still need 124 in 17 overs. New Zealand have lost four wickets but are still in the game with Anderson and Grant Elliott in the middle.
13:37 (IST): WICKET! Ross Taylor departs after scoring 30. Part-time bowler Jean-Paul Duminy strikes and Kiwis lose their fourth wicket. Taylor goes across to play it on the leg side but ends up edging it to keeper Quinton de Kock, who takes a brilliant catch.
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13:16 (IST): WICKET! Martin Guptill is run out for 34 and New Zealand lose their third wicket. Ross Taylor plays it straight to Hashim Amla at backward point. He first hesitates but still calls for a single. Guptill reacts late and fails to beat Amla, who quickly picks the ball and throws it to Quinton de Kock who removes the bails in a flash.
13:11 (IST): Every run is being cheered at Eden Park as New Zealand require another 170 to win. Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill have played sensibly so far.
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Good sensible batting going on right now from @RossLTaylor and @Martyguptill as they work the ball and look for the odd boundary. #nzvsa ^PT
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 24, 2015
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12:39 (IST): WICKET! Morne Morkel gets his second. Morkel bowls a short ball, Kane Williamson pulls it but ends up edging it onto stumps.
Standing ovation for McCullum after that innings: https://t.co/DUHNEwkWAC #NZvSA
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 24, 2015
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12:27 (IST): WICKET! Morne Morkel gets the much-needed breakthrough and it's Brendon McCullum who will have to make a long way back. The Kiwi skipper goes down the track to hit a short-pitched delivery over mid-on but fails to get the elevation. Dale Steyn takes a simple catch to end McCullum's 59-run knock off 26 balls, laced with eight fours and four sixes.
Just sit back for a second and realise that Baz just did that to one of the top 5 fast bowlers in the history of the game.
- Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) March 24, 2015
12:18 (IST): FIFTY! Brendon McCullum races to his 31st ODI half-century off just 22 balls. He has also completed 3000 runs in New Zealand. McCullum has hit eight fours and four sixes so far.
Three overs in and the BLACKCAPS are 32-0 in pursuit of 298. DL at this point is 20 #nzvsa #cwc15 ^CE
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 24, 2015
12:06 (IST): Skipper Brendon McCullum is leading from the front as New Zealand chase a massive 298 in rain-curtailed 43 overs-a-side. He has hit 26 off 14 balls with three fours and two massive sixes.
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11:43 (IST): That's it! South Africa post a daunting 281 for five. The DL target for New Zealand is 298 in 43 overs. Faf du Plessis top scored with 82 while AB de Villiers hit 65 not out off 45 balls. David Miller missed out on a record-equalling fastest fifty. He scored 49 off 18 balls. Corey Anderson picked up three wickets while Trent Boult bagged two.
11:28 (IST): David Miller scores 17 runs in Tim Southee's over. Hammers him for four fours. Three more overs left.
11:16 (IST): WICKET! Corey Anderson gets Faf du Plessis for 82. Du Plessis goes for pull, but misses it. Ball kisses his glove and is caught by Luke Ronchi. Anderson appeals for caught behind but umpire Ian Gould gives it a wide down the leg side. Kiwis take the review and it goes in their favour. Proteas lose their fourth. David Miller joins AB de Villiers.
11:00 (IST): South Africa had two more overs of Powerplay left but that has been cancelled. New Zealand will have a mandatory PP of nine overs and the batting PP of four overs instead of 10 and 5, respectively. Three bowlers can bowl nine overs while two can bowl eight.
10:58 (IST): Covers are off and play will resume soon. Match has been reduced to 43 overs-a-side. South Africa were 216 for three in 38 overs. They have five more overs to bat.
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Promising stuff, groundsmen getting organised now.... ^RI https://t.co/ZWyIDoYiFp
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 24, 2015
10:47 (IST): Rain has stopped at Eden Park and the groundsmen are removing the covers. Overs will be deducted.
Everything possible will be done to get a completed match today, although there is a reserve day in the schedule (2/2) #NZvSA #cwc15
- ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2015
We are now losing overs from this match, so Duckworth Lewis will come into play when the rains stops & conditions allow play (1/2) #NZvSA
- ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2015
10:29 (IST): Overs will now be deducted as it has been an hour since the play was stopped due to rain.
Some light drizzle continuing here so we remain off & the crowd wait patiently http://t.co/sEoMRq2VMR #cwc15 #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/psMs8DcTeS
- ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2015
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Conditionally calling the rain eased off for now - no movement on the covers as of yet though. Reports of heavy rain out West #nzvsa ^RI
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 24, 2015
09:48 (IST): It's still raining but it's not that heavy. There is a reserve day if rain plays a spoilsport today.
Meanwhile in Sydney, Australia has been training ahead of Thursday's big semi-final #INDvAUS https://t.co/pDhdF02Ydk
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 24, 2015
#SA on top but the Black Caps fans still think #NZ can win! https://t.co/GtZteHlx6x
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 24, 2015
Covers are on. Let's hope this isn't a long delay. #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/sJLxOB7udp
- Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 24, 2015
09:24 (IST): Rain halts play at Eden Park. Du Plessis and De Villiers have taken the attack back to the bowlers and now New Zealand are under pressure. South Africa 216 for three in 38 overs.
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09:10 (IST): FIFTY! AB de Villiers smashes a quick-fire 32-ball half-century. He was dropped on 38 by Kane Williamson at covers off Corey Anderson.
08:46 (IST): FIFTY! Faf du Plessis scores his 15th ODI half-century - off 85 balls. South Africa 132/3 (30.3 overs) vs New Zealand
08:26 (IST): WICKET! Corey Anderson, New Zealand's seventh bowler today, breaks the 83-run stand as he gets rid of Rilee Rossouw (39). The South African punches the ball but ends up getting a shoulder of the bat. Martin Guptill jumps to perfection to his right to take a superb catch. Proteas lose their third wicket. AB de Villiers joins Faf du Plessis.
08:17 (IST): Hundred is up for South Africa as the partnership between Du Plessis and Rossouw grows to 77. Grant Elliott is New Zealand's sixth bowler.
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08:05 (IST): FIFTY PARTNERSHIP! Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw have added 54 runs for the third wicket. This has been an important stand. South Africa can still get 260-270.
07:58 (IST): STAT! South Africa have won 36 of the completed 56 ODIs vs New Zealand but the record at Eden Park is an even 3-3.
07:47 (IST): Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw are rebuilding the innings. The two have put on 32 runs for the third wicket.
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07:28 (IST): STAT! Trent Boult has bowled the highest number of maidens -- 14 -- in the World Cup 2015. Mohammed Shami, Tim Southee and Dale Steyn have bowled seven each.
07:13 (IST): STAT! Trent Boult gets his 21st wicket to become the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in a single World Cup. Geoff Allott had picked up 20 wickets in 1999 edition.
07:07 (IST): WICKET! Trent Boult gets another one. Quinton de Kock's poor form continues. He looks to go over cover but ends up getting a thick outside edge straight to Tim Southee at third man. South Africa are in deep trouble.
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06:47 (IST): WICKET! Trent Boult gets his man and it's Hashim Amla, who will have to make a long way back. Boult bowls it full and wide. Nervous Amla looks to drive it away from the body but ends up getting an inside edge onto stumps.
Incredible atmosphere at Eden Park. Go boys #ProteaFire #NZvSA #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/hLbXiCcwCG
- Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 24, 2015
06:44 (IST): South Africa openers are living dangerously. This time it's Hashim Amla, who top edges pull but survives as Trent Boult fails to reach the ball at deep square leg.
06:39 (IST): DROPPED! Quinton de Kock dropped on 6 by keeper Luke Ronchi off Trent Boult.
06:34 (IST): Tim Southee starts with a maiden over. Trent Boult joins him in the opening spell.
06:31 (IST): Tim Southee starts proceedings for New Zealand. South Africa openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock are out in the middle.
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06:24 (IST): Pitch - Eden Park is a drop-in wicket in a multi-purpose stadium where New Zealand won the Rugby World Cup four years ago. It tends to be a slow wicket and has produced only six innings in excess of 300. The best bowling performance is Trent Boult's 5-27 against Australia in the World Cup three weeks ago. (Read full report here)
06:05 (IST): TEAMS
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Jean-Paul Duminy, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult
Here's the toss, Brendon has lost the toss and we will field first: https://t.co/SNitcpmfsj #nzvsa ^RI
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 24, 2015
06:02 (IST): TOSS! South Africa have won the toss and will bat first. Vernon Philander comes in for Kyle Abbott. New Zealand bring in Matt Henry for Adam Milne. Kiwis have a 4-2 head-to-head record vs Proteas.
Clear skies over Eden Park. Proteas in a huddle about to start their warm-ups. 15 minutes to the toss #NZvSA #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/FrFRL1uWLC
- Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 24, 2015
Look who's at Eden Park. @GraemeSmith49 bringing some proudly SA flavour to the commentary today. #SAvNZ #SAv NZ pic.twitter.com/4ZtGdTtfh5
- Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 24, 2015
New Zealand vs South Africa: Time to end years of pain?
New Zealand and South Africa clash in the World Cup semi-finals at Auckland's Eden Park on Tuesday hoping to end years of pain and near-misses.
Both sides, who between them have appeared in nine semi-finals without reaching the final, have met expectations by making the last four.
Lying in wait will be the winner of Thursday's second semi-final in Sydney between India, defending the title they won in 2011, and Australia, who lifted the three preceding World Cups.
New Zealand vs South Africa: Key Battles
Can Brendon McCullum outwit AB de Villiers? Can Hashim Amla's willow strike harder than Martin Guptill's? Will Daniel Vettori leave the Proteas in a spin? Can Imran Tahir leave the Kiwi batsmen clueless? Will Dale Steyn clip Kiwi wings? Or will the South Africans be struck by a "Boult" from the blue? Interesting contest ahead.
New Zealand vs South Africa: The clash of the underachievers
New Zealand and South Africa meet in the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup in Auckland on Tuesday, with both teams bidding to reach the final for the first time.
No one can stop South Africa: AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers was in a confident mood on the eve of the semi-final in Auckland against New Zealand with neither side having made a World Cup final before.
"If we play to our full potential, no one is going to stop us in this tournament," De Villiers said.