Amazing. Incredible. Beyond belief.
Descriptions in themselves that almost don't do New Zealand's triumph over South Africa justice, as they romped their way into the semi-finals in today's win against the tournament favourites. It was an achievement so emotionally afflicting, one struggles to order ones thoughts with humilty, in a fair attempt to find zen within glee. So contradictory has recent form been, the prospect of defending 221 against a formidable lineup was surmised as faint to all. Ross Taylor, in his between-innings interview, strained to keep a straight face in proclaiming it as a competitive total. Yet through a flawless bowling & fielding display, they proved it was, to celebrate one of the greatest victories in the history of our game.
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| Big boy Jess scoring vital runs |
Ultimately, it came down to aptitude in presence, that separated the teams. After a bad start, Taylor and Ryder took their time in building a hundred run partnership to resurrect the innings. It was a humble rebuilding, necessary, to ensure opportunity in the greater scheme of things. Former South African bowler, turned Sky commentator Pat Symcox, inadvertently illustrated the difference in psyche well, in his comments condemning Ryder and Taylor during this time due to (in his opinion) their poor strike rate. He could not foresee the importance of laying a foundation for a total to be built. Such vision would've helped this generation of South African cricketers, but was woefully found wanting when time came to the crunch.
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| Williamson keeping his cool |
Admittedly 221, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, seemed disappointing and inadequate. After laying the foundation, the assault largely failed, as the middle order stroke-makers struggled with South Africa's tight lines, and sharp fielding. 221 was a hard sum to place, as a terrible start, losing both openers, could've induced a familiar batting debacle. But Ryder and Taylor showed poise, to get themselves in and beyond the 30 over mark. At 31 overs, Ross Taylor took it upon himself to increase the advantage and succeeded for one over against Petersen, with a huge 6 using his favourite slog-sweep. The next over however, it was the impressive Tahir that got the better of him as he fell trying to replicate the shot. At that point one felt that all the hard work, may have gone to waste as batsmen after batsmen (including Ryder), fell by the wayside. The one exception to this was young Kane Williamson. Looking more and more like an emerging Rahul Dravid, reaching well with his arms and flicking with his wrists, he ticked over his tally at a run a ball, seeing the innings through to make certain a total of at least some merit was met. From an observer, the final amount was light and the South Africans marched off the pitch most pleased at the interval.
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| The first one was luck... that's all we needed |
But cricket is a funny game. Proved none more so by the fashion of dismissal of Hashim Amla (ranked 3 in the world). In the first over, he bottom edged a delivery into Brendon McCullum's foot, which deflected for a catch to Vettori. Perhaps a sign of things to come, that it would not be their day. Yet chance was not the whole reason that New Zealand won today. It was largely through thought, pressure and performance. Always the innovators, the Black Caps, who pioneered opening the bowling with a spin bowler, trumped that by opening the bowling with 2. It was a move South Africa, would not, and did not anticipate as Vettori took the ball himself for the second over after McCullum. Its success was probably more unsettling than rewarding, but little actions like that, field placements, and bowling changes add up and help displace opposition in mind and practice. On the surface they coped with the move, and it wasn't till Jacob Oram (who would turn out to be the Proteas dominant instigator) removed Graeme Smith with an enticing wide ball, that NZ brought themselves into it. Even then, hope was slim as de Villiers and Kallis looked to be coasting at 100/2 in the 24th. Enter the big man again, this time with a bit of fielding magic, as Kallis hoicked a Southee shortball towards midwicket. Jumping completely from out of frame, the Monster (said with affection) got his big mits up and plucked a catch where one didn't deserve to be. It was an act to inspire, and did so for the team as the rushed to congratulate him. It was the beginning of the self-doubting whispers for the South Africans as Dumminy was next to succumb, misjudging the length and pace of a McCullum delivery, sacrificing his stumps in doing so.
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| The monster flies! |
At that stage it was 121/4 and to the neutral, appeared a slight leaning towards the chasing team. de Villiers was settled and du Plessis had enough credentials to suggest that batting through, with their ability, would be enough. Then the biggest turning point in the match occurred that lead to a devastating switch in momentum. du Plessis, in effort to get off the mark, called an unnecessarily risky single to NZ's best fielder Mark Guptill. The throw came in and McCullum exacted a superb gather and run out to send the oppositions best prospect in de Villiers packing. A recall of Waugh vs Gibbs followed as NZ made du Plessis fully aware that he had probably just cost his team the match. Kyle Mills, the substitute even chipped in and will probably take a fine, but having copped so much ourselves in the past, it will be a fine well received.
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| The boys point out the obvious |
The bowlers in their entirety then heeded the war-cry, as South Africa crumbled in succession and victory was cemented as Morkel chipped an easy catch to How for the final wicket of the game.
In assessment, the win was colossal. Written off by all in before, beginning and middle, the Black Caps shook those expectations such to embody Unbeatables. Ryder, Taylor and Williamson batted for the team to keep the game alive. Vettori's decision making was exemplary, and the bowling display lead by Oram was measured and precise. Even the inclusion of Woodcock, over Tuffey/Franklin (which concerned me), proved a good one as the left-hand spinner contributed useful and challenging overs extracting the most spin of all our slow-types.
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| All but over as du Plessis falls |
The day in itself will be one long remembered. In the greater scheme of things, it is another stepping stone to the ultimate prize. This team has now, against most generous optimism, achieved the feet of other, more talented and experienced teams NZ has sent before, in reaching the semi-finals. A true test now awaits to see whether we can take it a few stages beyond, and make real a dream, so previously dim.
Can we? We can!
PS: Alan Donald is now my favourite South African.... sorry Mandela, but cricket is cricket.
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