Cricket World Cup History: 5 most memorable games

#3 New Zealand vs South Africa (2015)

New Zealand were jubilant while South Africa were left heartbroken

New Zealand and South Africa went head to head in the 1st semi-final of the 2015 ICC World Cup at Auckland with expectations hitting fever pitch for both teams. Before the game, neither had made a World Cup final and thus, the pair had the opportunity to write themselves into cricketing folklore. And boy, didn’t they engage in a titanic struggle to cross the penultimate hurdle.

After electing to bat, the Proteas rode on Francois Du Plessis’ gritty 82 to lay a solid platform. However, rain played a part in the game and the stop-start nature hurt their momentum in the middle phases.

Post the resumption, AB De Villiers and David Miller produced a scintillating end-overs assault to catapult South Africa to 281 for 5 in their allotted 43 overs.

Courtesy the DLS method, New Zealand’s target was adjusted to 298 off 43 overs. The hosts got off to a belligerent start with Brendon McCullum leading the charge. The opener mercilessly attacked Dale Steyn at the start and ensured his side got the better of the opening exchanges.

However, once he was dismissed, New Zealand stuttered and stumbled their way to 149 for 4 in the 22nd over. Corey Anderson and Grant Elliot then joined hands and stitched together a useful 103 run partnership which left the Black Caps on the cusp of victory.

Yet, the departures of Anderson and Luke Ronchi in quick succession added another layer of intrigue to an already captivating tale.

The onus then fell on Elliot to take his team home and he did so adroitly with just a ball to spare. The all-rounder kept his cool at all times and made sure New Zealand reached their maiden World Cup final.

The image of South African cricketers falling to the ground after losing yet another knock-out game was heart-breaking for the entire cricketing fraternity, let alone their own countrymen.

New Zealand on the other hand, were jubilant for they had left their fans with a lasting memory.

Thus, that game at Auckland makes our list at No.3.