1st Semi final match of 2015 ICC Worldcup has been played between host New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park, Auckland today. Opting to bat first, South Africa put good score of 281 runs after 43 overs. Rain delayed match and cut to 43 over per side and New Zealand got 298 runs target (D/L method) to achieved in 43 overs. New Zealand score winning runs when 1 ball to spare with six and registered historical win over South Africa by 4 wickets and became 1st team to enter in Final of 2015 worldcup. GD Elliott (New Zealand) declared man of the match foe his superb innig of 84 runs of 73 balls and hit a six to won the match when 1 ball spare to bowl.
Earlier, South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first and set target for Host team. South Africa lost both openers HM Amla 10 and Q de Kock 14 runs. F du Plessis and RR Rossouw came in middle and played good cricket for South Africa. F du Plessis made very well 82 runs and RR Rossouw contributed 39 runs as well. In later overs skipper AB de Villiers 65* of 45 balls and DA Miller 49 runs of just 18 balls helps South Africa to put good totals of 281 runs in 43 overs.
Following target of 298 runs to win in 43 overs (D/L method), New Zealand started ver agrassively with BB McCullum and MJ Guptill initially. Skipper McCullum played super fiast inning of 59 runs just in 26 balls. MJ Guptill unfortunately got run out scoring 34 runs. LRPL Taylor also contributed well 30 runs. Middle order batsmen GD Elliott and CJ Anderson took charge in hand and played sensible cricket in middle overs. CJ Anderson made 58 runs before he departed. GD Elliott bated till end and made winning runs by hitting six when 1 ball spare to bowl and gave New Zealand remarkable win by 4 wickets.
Player of the match : GD Elliott (New Zealand)
