AUCKLAND: New Zealanders hailed the Black Caps’ cliff-hanger World Cup semi-final win over South Africa as one of the country’s top sporting moments on Wednesday and finally began dreaming of even greater glory in the tournament decider on Sunday.

“One to go,” trumpeted the front page of the New Zealand Herald, while the Dominion Post’s back page headline described victory over the Proteas at Eden Park as “The stuff that dreams are made of”.

There was also relief at a four-wicket win achieved with just one ball to spare that propelled New Zealand into the final for the first time after a run of six losses in the semis.

Former Black Cap bowler Jacob Oram said Brendon McCullum’s men had shown their class against a dangerous South African side and should be favourites in a tournament where they remain undefeated after eight matches.

“It looks at the moment like nothing daunts them,” he told commercial radio. “The bigger the expectation, the more that’s asked, the bigger they stand up. I honestly don’t think this World Cup final is going to daunt these guys.”

Long-suffering Black Caps fans have endured many disappointments over the years but pundits said it was finally time to start believing the team could deliver against either Australia or India in Melbourne on Sunday.

“Dare to dream, New Zealand,” advised Fairfax cricket writer Fred Woodcock, adding: “If you didn’t think these Black Caps had the mental strength to go the whole way, you should now, because they stood up under the pressure that defines teams.”

NZ Herald columnist David Leggat even suggested the spectacle at Eden Park exceeded the Rugby World Cup final at the same venue in 2011, when New Zealand edged France 8-7 — unheard of praise in the All Blacks-obsessed nation.

“Rugby people will swear the 2011 final can’t be beaten for drama and sheer occasion,” he wrote. “Fair enough, but to these eyes, this was special.”

There was also praise for Johannesburg-born Grant Elliott whose 84 not out, capped with a stunning six off the penultimate ball, made him an unlikely match-winner.

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor looks in relaxed mood as he arrives at the airport on Wednesday.—AP

The Herald’s Dylan Cleaver pointed out Elliott was a last-minute inclusion and many, including himself, had favoured youngster Jimmy Neesham over the 36-year-old.

“It will now be remembered as one of the most inspired selections in New Zealand cricket history,” he said.

Former Sri Lanka batsman and now a commentator Russel Arnold tweeted the picture of Elliott shaking hands with Steyn as the South African lay on his back, labelling it ‘the spirit of sport’ and asking whether it could be the defining moment of the tournament.

Other former players and cricket organisations compared the gesture to that of England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff consoling Australia fast bowler Brett Lee during the 2005 Ashes series.

Elliott himself said after the match that he felt it was important he showed Steyn some compassion, reasoning that he could have been the one sitting there and going through the same emotions if he had failed to score the required runs.

“I think you have to feel compassion and be humble in victory and humble in defeat. It’s just part of who I am,” he said. “I felt sorry for him and I felt sorry for a lot of them.”

Cricket World Cup’s New Zealand chief executive Therese Walsh said the atmosphere at Eden Park was the most intense she had experienced at a match, reflecting the way the event has gripped the country.

“That euphoria at the end; I can’t remember another time it’s been like that. People hugging, crying; it was an amazing New Zealand moment,” she told Radio New Zealand.

Walsh noted the match ended New Zealand’s co-hosting duties, with the remaining semi-final set for Sydney on Thursday and the final in Melbourne on Sunday.

“To get through the last six weeks, 23 games across the country, with this fabulous weather, such exciting cricket,” she said. “Half the games were sell-outs and we’ve had hundreds of thousands of Kiwis through the gates. It’s just taken the country by storm and we couldn’t be happier.”

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key took a moment during a media conference in Tokyo to congratulate the team and said he would attend the final on Sunday.

Airlines have also announced additional flights to get New Zealand fans to Melbourne for Sunday’s final, while the match will be screened on free-to-air television.

The tournament has primarily been broadcast on subscription-based television.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2015

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