New Zealand get home against South Africa in cliffhanger
Grant Elliott smashes a six in the penultimate ball as Black Caps sneak through a nervous run chase to reach their first Cricket World Cup final
Grant Elliott struck a six from the penultimate ball on Tuesday for New Zealand to beat South Africa by four wickets in a cliffhanger and reach their first Cricket World Cup final.
New Zealand came to the last over of a rain-shortened match needing 12 runs to reach their Duckworth-Lewis target of 298 from 43 overs, and made it with just one ball left at Eden Park.
"I don't even know where the ball went," Elliott said after hitting a length ball from Dale Steyn over the long-on boundary.
We've had a good run. First final we've been in as a New Zealand team. We're a very level team. We'll just approach it as any other game
In Sunday's final, New Zealand will face either Australia or India, who meet on Thursday.
"We've had a good run," Elliott said. "First final we've been in as a New Zealand team. We're a very level team. We'll just approach it as any other game."
Earlier, Faf du Plessis made 82, captain AB de Villiers 65 not out and David Miller 49 from 18 balls as South Africa compiled 281 for five batting first, taking 65 runs from the five overs left after the rain.
New Zealand then chased a revised total of 298, and reached that formidable objective with fans of two nations holding their breath. The Kiwis were guided home by Elliott, with 84 not out, and Daniel Vettori, seven not out.
Asked if he was as calm as he looked, Elliott said: "Probably not. When you've got 40,000 fans screaming at you every ball ..."
