South Africa-born Grant Elliott sends New Zealand soaring into Cricket World Cup final

Grant Elliott stepped up with Brendon McCullum cut down on Tuesday to drag New Zealand past South Africa and into the Cricket World Cup final on a soaring penultimate-ball six. Paul Radley reports.

New Zealand batsman Grant Elliott celebrates his winning six on Tuesday as South Africa's Dale Steyn reacts in the 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-final. New Zealand will play Australia or India in the fiShow more

AUCKLAND // Brendon McCullum was the New Zealander of the year last year. If the Black Caps captain leads his nation to a first Cricket World Cup title in Melbourne on Sunday, they will have to invent a new title this time around.

Give him a knighthood, at least. Make him Prime Minister, maybe. Or take Chris Gayle’s notional, self-appointed title of World Boss, instil McCullum in the role and let him run the affairs of the free world. It would certainly make it a more exciting place.

If he did get the office, he would have to appoint a Johannesburg born Kiwi as his No 2.

Grant Elliott, the loudest singer of the New Zealand national anthem in the Black Caps side even if it is with a South African accent, took his adopted nation to their maiden World Cup final in the most dramatic fashion.

Playing with all the courage his captain demands, he smashed the penultimate ball of a pulsating semi-final into the stands to give the joint hosts a four wicket win. Pandemonium ensued in Auckland.

This World Cup has been full of drama and great feats of cricketing endeavour. That has not always dovetailed with competitive matches, though.

This game was different. It had everything, a modern World Cup classic which was gripping from start to finish.

Eden Park has been spoilt at this competition. Auckland’s largest stadium also played host to the the low-scoring thriller between New Zealand and Australia in the group stage.

This one also induced collective palpitations among the 41,279 congregation – a remarkable crowd for a work day near the start of the week. Absenteeism in Auckland must have been rife.

If they put in for a second sick day on Wednesday, it would be understandable. Hospitals around these parts will probably have a surfeit of finger injuries to deal with, with nails have been bitten down beyond the quick.

Like that group match, it could also be argued the bowlers were on top. Or at least, unlike much of the tournament, they had an even chance.

The fact South Africa posted a daunting, rain-revised target of 298 in 43 overs was down to great skill in trying conditions, as well as this rugby stadium’s quirky, unforgiving boundaries.

Rilee Rossouw and Faf du Plessis repaired the innings with great dexterity after Trent Boult fired out South Africa’s openers cheaply.

That was crucial to allowing AB de Villiers, who made 65 not out in 45 balls, and David Miller, 49 in 18, to make merry as the home side tried – and failed – to muddle through a fifth bowler’s overs.

Corey Anderson, Kane Williamson and Elliott combined eight overs accounted for 86 runs.

While McCullum was at the wicket, though, it appeared the host nation would cruise to their target in no time. There is no more thrilling sight in cricket than the New Zealand captain in this sort of form.

He might as well go out to bat with his briefs on outside his trousers and a cape trailing behind him. Or at least the New Zealand flag stuffed inside his collar.

He blazed Dale Steyn for a monstrous six over extra-cover in the first over. Vernon Philander went the same way in the second.

By the time the fifth finished, he had 59 in 25 deliveries. It was savage. Nearly 85 per cent of his 328 runs in this World Cup have come via either fours or sixes.

Then, all of a sudden, he was gone, chipping Morne Morkel to Steyn on the edge of the circle at mid-on.

So New Zealand needed to find a new hero, given their one banker of the everyday super variety had gone.

None of the usual protagonists really fitted the suit. Williamson came and went. Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor each sparkled then perished.

Then Elliott and Anderson – two underrated players short on time in the middle – took control with such poise, it was like they were playing a knockabout match in their back yards.

When Anderson pulled De Villiers to the boundary to bring up their 100 partnership, accrued in 92 balls, the whole of Eden Park rose to acclaim them.

There was still much work to do, though, with 47 runs needed from 36 balls.

Anderson went immediately after, Luke Ronchi followed, so it was left to Daniel Vettori and Elliott to take the host over the line, and spark mass euphoria.

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