Cricket Classics - Part Xii : 2015 Cricket World Cup Semi-Final

Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,

Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress or leave us with unforgettable moments.

So, through this series, I will present some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week. Anyway, after missing out a few weeks, I am with another iconic match.

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What does come to your mind when you hear Cricket South Africa? The chokers in the Knockout stages?🙉 This is yet another time, at the 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. Unless the recent success of both these times, they haven't done well in the big stages up to 2015.

The 2015 Cricket World Cup was the 11th season, held in Australia and New Zealand from 18 to 29 March 2015. There were overall 14 teams, divided into two groups at the start. From there New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, India, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh advanced into the quarter Finals. Then in the semi-finals, New Zealand faced South Africa while Australia played against India.

The semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa was one of the greatest matches to remember with a great finish and emotions.

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Brendon McCullum led the NZ team and was unbeaten in the tournament, with an unique aggressive approach. The availability of Williamson, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, etc added a perfect combination for the team. They had a commanding win of 143 runs, at the quarter-final over West Indie, to reach the semis.

On the other hand, the South African team was Captained by AB de Villiers. It was a powerhouse with players like, Amla, De Kock, Faf du Plessis, Miller, and Duminy, and with gun ballers like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Imran Tahir. It’s their best team as my idea, and in a favorite position to lift the trophy that year.

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It was March 24, 2015 at Eden Park, Auckland. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, time to time rain interrupted the flow of the match. Kiwi ballers were successful in controlling the openers and taking early wickets. Anyway Faf du Plessis (82 off 107), took the responsibility and anchored the innings.

And at the latter part of the innings AB de Villiers (65 off 45 balls) and David Miller (49 off 18 balls) played two memorable cameos. Those two were smashing boundaries and gave an amazing finish to the inning. SA was at 281/5 in 43 overs, when rain affected the over reduction, and New Zealand was given a target of 298 runs according to the DLS method.

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New Zealand started things well with their usual aggression. Especially Brendon McCullum was toying with the SA ballers. His quick-fire of 59 runs came off in 26 balls with four sixes and eight fours. Anyway, with a high asking rate, wickets came at regular intervals for the Proteas. So, the game was evolving between both teams.

Then the partnership between Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson, who added 103 runs for the fifth wicket in 16 overs reshaped the match once again. Corey Anderson Played a gem of an inning under pressure(58 off 57 balls). After his wicket at 252 runs, NZ had to get 46 runs in the last 5 overs. Morkel and Steyn tried their best to take the match to the last over.

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Grant Elliott (84* off 73 balls) held his nerve under pressure till the end of the match. They took 11 runs off Morkel at the penultimate over, and Steyn had to defend 13 runs off the final. He is known to be the best in that era, and Eliiot and veteran spinner Vettori was on the crease.

After a pretty good first two balls, Vettori managed a four to the third man off a yorker in the third ball. And with another bye, Elliot got the chance and with five runs needed off two balls, he struck the winning six over long-on to reach New Zealand’s first-ever World Cup final.

What a moment that was, The NZ crowd and players were jumping with joy while the SA player became very emotional. They were crying in the field coming very close to the trophy. It was some dropped catches and missed run-out chances from South Africa that cost them the match.

Anyway, it was one of the most thrilling games in World Cup knockouts.

See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.

src - Wikipedia
espncricinfo

Thank you.
Best Regards!