New Zealand Make It To World Cup Cricket Final For First Time Beating S Africa by 4 Wicket

24 March , Auckland

Zealand won over South Africa in the nail biting first semi-final in the Cricket World Cup-2015 to become the first team to enter Final of the Cricket World Cup-2015 at Auckland by 4 Wickets .
For the first time New Zealand created history in reaching the World Cup Cricket Final.

In pursuit of 298 in 43 overs, the target set by the Proteas in the rain marred match, the Kiwis achieved the score by losing six wickets in 42. 5 overs. New Zealand made 299 for loss of six wickets one ball to go for the stipulated 43 overs as fixed under D/L method.
Skipper Brendon McCullum, looked in a devastating form, but was out for 59. Martin Guptill’s run out, however, turned the tides, with South African bouncing back into the game . But Grant Elliot 84 not out turned the tide despite the unfortunate out of Corey Anderson at 58.
Elliot had sealed the fate of South Africa by finishing the match in New Zealand’s favour by hitting a marvelous six.
Elliot was adjudged as the Player of the Match.

Seamer Morne Morkel has bagged 3 wickets, while JP Duminy and Dale Stayen took one wicket each.

South Africa could not make to the final due to poor fielding and bowling.

Earlier, opting to bat first, South Africa posted 281, after rain reduced the game to 43 overs a side. The target for the Kiwis, via the Duckworth-Lewis method, was revised to 298 in 43 overs. Faf du Plessis top scored with 82, while skipper AB DeVilliers made an unbeaten 65. But, it was the end-of-innings cameo from David Miller that helped the Proteas score 281. He made 49 off just 17 balls, with 59 runs for South Africa coming in the last four overs.

Neither of the two teams had ever made it to the World Cup final.

The second semi-final between defending champions India and Australia will be played on Thursday at Sydney.

The final is slated for Sunday at Melbourne.