NZ vs SA(WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL):A GREAT SPECTACLE!!!!

                               

2015  CRICKET WORLD CUP 

• All cricket lovers were disappointed with the one sided matches in the quarter finals but the match between South Africa and New Zealand lived up to the expectations with the match going all the way to the last over.
•        Before the match, it was evident that one team is going to create history as the winner would reach the world cup finals for the first time. It was New Zealand today which made history.  

MATCH STATS:
SOUTH AFRICA : 297-5(43 overs)    (D/L Method)
NEW ZEALAND : 299-5(42.5 overs)

• There were key moments in the match which swung it in the favour of the Kiwis. Missed run-out chances, catches have costed South Africa dearly in their semifinal defeat.
• It's an irony that South Africa produces some best teams and yet, they cannot go past the semifinal hurdle in the world cups. Whenever South Africa plays in the world cups it's not only their team's performance that has a bearing on the result but also the impact of rain as was the case today.
• When the score was 216-3 in 38 overs the rain came down and the match was reduced to 43 overs per side and eventually RAIN again became the crucial factor in  South Africa's defeat. Who knows what would have happened if the rain hadn't come, they might have well scored in excess of 330 or 340 and it would have been a stiff target for New Zealand to chase it down. 

                           But that's how cricket is and that's how life is.......we are just players in a script that has been already written.

Ecstasy on one side

Despair on the other

                                                

• This match has seen some brilliant individual performances from both sides in both Bowling and Batting: Duplessis, De villiers, Miller, Mccullum, Anderson, Elliott with the Bat and Boult,Tahir, Morkel with the Ball.
• A special mention to Grant Elliott, who was very composed under pressure and batted brilliantly to take New Zealand home in a tight situation.

IRONY:

• A South African born(Grant Elliott) has paved the way for South Africa's exit from the world cup.
• Nevertheless this match will go down as one of the greatest matches in the history of cricket let alone World Cup cricket.

     A big salute to both the teams who have done so well.
                  Congratulations to New Zealand.

                           What can we say to South Africa?
You are a fantastic team and you will someday lift the world cup as there is none who deserve it more than you.Well played.

             Hoping the coming matches will be as good as this one or even better!!!!!