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Last moments of
first semi-final between South Africa and New Zeeland- Math played on 24th March,
2015- Photo Credit; Online Images
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Well, I can’t say anything
that either South Africans are choker or unlucky because I genuinely feel that
both these things are inter linked with each other. At the start of the day,
they were not un-lucky, they’ve won the toss and went for bat. They were not
un-lucky as even dismissals of both opening batsmen at just 31 runs, they’ve
found the brilliant partnerships; first one between F D Plesus and R Rossow
i.e. of 83 runs and second one between F D Plesus and A B Develiers of 103 runs
on just 73 balls. Everything was looking quite OK up to 38th over
where South Africa was about to launch their batting in next gear, here came
the first un-luck for the South Africans. It was start raining. Due to rain 7
important overs were depleted from South Africans innings as match was reduced
to 43 overs per innings. Though in the last, remained, five overs South African
they tried to put their team in the last gear and even reached up to 281 runs
with FaF’s 82 off 107, A B Develiers 65 off 45 and Miller’s 49 off just 18
balls. C Anderson picked up 3 wicket in 6 overs with 73 runs and T Boult got 2
important wickets. According to D/L method, New Zeeland was asked to chase down
298 runs.
New Zeeland, in reply, took
flying start when B McCullum start demolishing South African bowling. He scored
an aggressive innings of 59 runs of just 26 balls. Though South Africa proved
again lucky here, as they not only dismissed McCullum but also got the wickets
of Williamson and Taylor. Here, when match was started turning for the South
Africa, C Anderson and Elliot played unforgettable knocks. Both scored their
fifties and added 103 runs on a crucial stage. Here, when New Zeeland was
trying to get dominate the game, South Africa got two big wickets of C Anderson
on 58 and L Ronchi on just 8 runs. Now one end was unsafe and in the hands of tail
order batsmen. Here South Africa proved just too unlucky, as they dropped two
catches and also missed two certain run-out chances of Elliot who, at the end,
proved lethal for his old homeland and won the Semi-final with a huge six over
long-on. Elliot made 84 off 73 with the help of 7 fours and 3 sixes and D
Vettori made 7 off 6 deliveries in which one, million dollar, four is also
included which he played on the 3rd ball of the Stayn’s last over.
This match reminded earlier
New Zeeland Vs Australia contest but this was ahead of old one, as up to the
last minute, no one could say that which team will win. Now New Zeeland will
take on the winner of India Vs Australia, the second semi-final contest, on 29th
March, 2015.
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