The National's Sport cover for the Wednesday, March 25 issue, featuring New Zealand's Grant Elliott as he pushed his side past his native-born South Africa to reach the 2015 Cricket World Cup final.
Paul Radley was in Auckland for the match on Tuesday, and writes about how Elliott was ecstatic after “repaying” his adopted nation in the World Cup:
“Elliott was born in Johannesburg, learnt his cricket there, and only moved to New Zealand in adulthood.
“However, he says he regards himself as a New Zealander. Noticeably, he is one of the most vocal singers during the anthem.”
Elliot told Radley: “When I emigrated to New Zealand I wanted to become a New Zealander and I have made this country my home.
“It is great to repay the hospitality everyone has shown right from when I arrived in New Zealand. I love the country.
“I left South Africa when I did, I went to school there, have some good friends there, but New Zealand is my home and I’m stoked to have got New Zealand to the final.”
New Zealand will now face either Australia or India in the Cricket World Cup final.
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