AUCKLAND // After smiting Dale Steyn into Row Z to send New Zealand cricket supporters into unprecedented delirium, Grant Elliott said he had wanted to repay the nation’s hospitality.
He is not the only one who should be grateful to this country. The 2015 Cricket World Cup has thrived on these shores, probably more so than across the Tasman.
More matches, albeit in smaller venues with likely less funds recouped, have been staged in New Zealand than Australia over the past six weeks.
The atmosphere that has generally pervaded at New Zealand’s grounds has been of the type for which cricket was invented.
Hours after Elliott hit that six against South Africa, with all the 40,000 crowd on their way to their homes, Gavin Larsen was in the middle of Eden Park taking selfies in the half-light.
The former New Zealand bowler, who has been one of the main organisers of the country’s contribution to this event, could reflect on a job well done.
Here are some of the hits from the Kiwi experience:
Most scenic: Saxton Oval, Nelson
The UAE’s first World Cup fixture in 19 years could not have had a more beautiful setting. The only other footage of the national team playing in 50-over cricket’s premier competition had been of the 1996 side playing at some sparsely populated, utilitarian stadiums in Pakistan. The Saxton Oval, by contrast, has the relaxed feel of a village green, but a picture postcard backdrop, with the scenic Richmond Ranges on one side of the ground. The UAE rose to the occasion, putting up a fine display against Zimbabwe, too, so it was win-win.
Best shot 1: Kane Williamson, Eden Park
Given the otherworldly form he showed in the lead up, Williamson has probably underachieved from an individual perspective in this World Cup. He had his one, never-to-be-forgotten moment in the sun though, when he hit the six to win the epic group tussle against Australia by one wicket. Once it landed, the television feed cut straight to a home of a supporter in a state of near meltdown. It was that sort of shot. Surely, it could never be matched …
Best shot 2: Grant Elliott, Eden Park
Not for a few weeks, anyway. Eden Park, the biggest city’s largest stadium, has been like one giant shredding machine during the World Cup. Put your nerves in at the turnstile, then they will be guaranteed to be mangled to ribbons by the end of the match. The home supporters had just about recovered from Williamson’s exploits against their greatest rivals when Elliott laid the nation’s semi-final curse to rest on Tuesday night. Pandemonium ensued.
Best shot 3: Shaiman Anwar, Saxton Oval
This carried with it nothing like the raw emotion of Williamson and Elliott’s efforts. Many in the ground, in fact, would not have been aware of its significance. Anwar, a sales representative in Dubai, shuffled down the track and cracked a six to go to 50 against Zimbabwe, the first time a UAE player had reached a milestone in this tournament. It was aesthetically spot on, too — a clean, crisp straight drive back over the bowler’s head, which cannoned into the sight screen. The UAE were well on their way to respectability.
Best disco jockey Eden Park
This country was a nervous wreck in the final throes of the semi-final. Some people hid from the final deliveries, trying to escape unbearable tension. Steyn, the never-injured, super-fit, South African fast-bowling Übermensch, was overcome, his body giving way because of the emotion of it all. Then, suddenly, with wry timing, Freddie Mercury’s dulcet tones filled the airways, singing Under Pressure. It was said that Elliott was the coolest man in the ground, in fact he was second. The DJ was right on the ball, with a tune fit for every occasion — even the most gripping.
Best celebration: Shapoor Zadran, Dunedin
Classic, last-over drama followed by frenzied celebrations has not been the sole preserve of the host nation during the New Zealand leg of this event. The Associate nations showed they can do a good line in compelling theatre, too, when Afghanistan made history against Scotland. It was their first World Cup win, at their debut tournament, and the man who decided it, Shapoor Zadran, will be long remembered, not least for his celebration. The lanky, lank-haired fast bowler clipped the winning runs off his heels, then bolted straight towards the dressing room, before stopping just short, collapsed to his knees, arms outstretched, then fell forward onto his front.
Best catch: Air Vettori
The catch that launched a thousand memes. After his high-flying, one-handed grab to dismiss Marlon Samuels on the deep point boundary in the quarter-final against West Indies in Wellington, Daniel Vettori’s image quickly went viral. He was photoshopped landing slam dunks from the free-throw line, Michael Jordan style. That escalated quickly, as he was next pictured catching some air lined up alongside Ron Burgundy’s news team. Trent Boult and Martin Guptill, his teammates, said they did not realise “a 45 year old” (Vettori is in fact 36) could jump that high. Even his son, James, told him he does not go that far on the trampoline.
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