6 Best ODI matches of the year 2015
2. New Zealand v South Africa – ICC World Cup Semi-final:
The stage was set for the semi-finals as two of the chokers of ICC tournaments clashed in the first semi-final of ICC World Cup 2015. One team that had never been through was sure to make it to the finals and the game was closely contested.
Batting first, South Africa had lost two early wickets when Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, and AB de Villiers laid a solid foundation for a big score. However, a rain interruption meant the match was reduced to a 43-over game. When play resumed, du Plessis fell for 82, but David Miller stepped in with a quickfire 18-ball 49 to take South Africa to 281 for 5, with de Villiers remaining unbeaten on 65.
The chase saw a blitzkrieg 26-ball 59 by Brendon McCullum and a steady 34 by Guptill. Grant Elliot and Corey Anderson (58) then put on 97 runs for the 5th wicket to see New Zealand inching closer to the finals. Elliot then played the knock of his life, an unbeaten 84 off 73 balls to take New Zealand over the line with a ball to spare. Emotions erupted on the ground as South African players were in tears and the New Zealanders ran around in joy and later were seen consoling their Protea counterparts.
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