New Zealand needed 12 off the last over to reach their first World Cup final. Grant Elliott — a South African-born New Zealander — hit Dale Steyn for six with 3 balls remaining, then two with the last ball to win by 4 wickets in one of cricket's most emotionally charged finishes.
New Zealand had never reached a World Cup final. South Africa had never won one. The 2015 semi-final at Eden Park was a match carrying the weight of both nations' World Cup history. Grant Elliott was born in South Africa, moved to New Zealand, and had represented New Zealand for a decade — this match had a specific personal weight for him.
South Africa made 281 with AB de Villiers blazing 65. New Zealand's chase was built primarily by Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson. With 12 needed off the last over, Dale Steyn — South Africa's best ever bowler — had the ball. Elliott was at the crease.
Ball 1: Dot. 12 off 5. Ball 2: Two. 10 off 4. Ball 3: Elliott hit Steyn down the ground for six. 4 off 3. Ball 4: Wide — 3 off 3. Ball 5: Two. 1 off 1.
Final ball: Elliott hit Steyn through the off side for two. New Zealand won by 4 wickets. Eden Park erupted. Elliott dropped to the ground on the pitch. Around him, teammates celebrated. But then he walked over to Dale Steyn — the bowler from his birth country, whose last over had just been dispatched — and put his arm around him.
The moment: Steyn in Elliot's arms, both crouching on the Eden Park outfield, the crowd roaring around them. Sportsmanship that mirrored Flintoff-Lee ten years earlier. Two men from the same country, on opposite sides, in the most emotional moment of either's World Cup career.
12 off the last over — Steyn vs Elliott, World Cup semi-final
Elliott's six off Steyn — 4 needed off 3
Elliott winning the match, then consoling Steyn — the image of the match
March 24, 2015
World Cup semi-final, Eden Park, Auckland
South Africa innings
De Villiers 65, South Africa 281
New Zealand last over
12 needed — Elliott vs Steyn
Final ball
Elliott two through off side — New Zealand win by 4 wickets
New Zealand reached their first World Cup final, where they lost to Australia. Elliott retired after the 2015 World Cup. Steyn continued his career but never reached a World Cup final. The image of the two men — born in the same country, representing different nations — has become one of cricket's defining photographs of the 21st century.
One of the great World Cup semi-final finishes — and Elliott's gesture of consoling Steyn afterward elevated it from a sporting contest to something that will be replayed for generations.
New Zealand's 2015 World Cup campaign — reaching the final for the first time — defined the Williamson era of New Zealand cricket. Elliott's six and subsequent consolation of Steyn is the moment that crystallised what New Zealand cricket stood for under that generation.
Australia vs West Indies
1960-12-14
The first tied Test in 86 years of cricket history — Australia and West Indies finished level on 737 runs each after five days of breathless cricket in Brisbane, producing one of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.
India vs Australia
1986-09-22
Twenty-six years after Brisbane, cricket produced only its second tied Test — Dean Jones's heroic 210 through crippling heat and Dean Jones's fever, Ravi Shastri's unbeaten 48 and India needing 2 off the last over, only for Maninder Singh to be out lbw off the final ball.
Australia vs South Africa
1999-06-17
Lance Klusener smashed Australia to the brink of elimination, then ran out Allan Donald off the penultimate ball to tie the match — but Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate, ending South Africa's greatest World Cup campaign in devastating fashion.