Opinion Kiwis take flight

South Africa played a fantastic game of cricket at Eden Park in Auckland on Tuesday, in the first semifinals of World Cup 2015. But the great South African dream of making it to the world cup finals would remain unrealised. Because their opponents, New Zealand, were even better. Baz and his men are now on the edge of dreamland. One more victory and they will go down in Kiwi cricket folklore as the team that won the country’s first world cup. And the prospects are looking bright. New Zealand have made it to the finals after eight consecutive wins. They’ve been warming up nicely too. Over the last 15 months, they have played 33 ODIs, won 23 and lost only seven.

In 1992, New Zealand were the sentimental favourites to win. Under Martin Crowe, the whole team had become greater than the sum of its parts. Mark Greatbatch’s pyrotechnics up the order and Dipak Patel’s off-spin with the new ball were surprise elements in an already fearsome team. This time, the Black Caps’ great form meant they started the tournament as one of the chief contenders for the title. New Zealand had the players to go the distance — Brendon “Baz” McCullum in top form, an all-rounder like Corey Anderson to provide balance and a world-class spinner in Daniel Vettori. And they’re playing fearless cricket. Take the semi-final. A target of 299 in 43 overs was imposing, but McCullum set up the chase, Anderson shored up the middle and Grant Elliott finished the job.

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But the final at Melbourne Cricket Ground will be a different ball game. The team is likely to come up against 90,000-odd partisan fans — Indian or Australian, depending on which team makes the finals. The Black Caps will have to keep their nerve and play against a tidal wave of support for the other side. It will be a test of character.