Grant Elliott did his selectors a favour in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final against South Africa

When Grant Elliott took stance against Dale Steyn to face the fifth ball of the final over with New Zealand requiring five to win, there was a lot going on millions of minds across the world. Thoughts were fogged with excitement and nervousness. Elliott’s shoulders bore the pressure of determining which of the two sides would enter a World Cup final for the first time ever. Match Report: New Zealand vs South Africa

Elliott waited. Steyn — the greatest fast bowler of our times — steamed in. Elliott’s eyes lit up when he saw the length-ball; he hit it cleanly over deep mid-wicket. Steyn did not have to look back to realise South Africa were denied. The New Zealand crowd roared their approval of the six. READ: New Zealand vs South Africa ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi-Final: SA innings highlights

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Elliott was a national hero. But was he expected to be?

In the mix-up of sentiments, it is likely everyone forgot that Elliott’s selection was not even approved by New Zealand fans early on. Experts did not have pleasing things to say either; selectors were ridiculed by fans and critics alike about their choice of someone who had not played international cricket for well over a year. Updates: New Zealand vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi-Final 1

It is that final six that people will remember most fondly from Elliot’s innings and rightfully so. The six sealed off a historic win for New Zealand in front of 40,000 fans roaring their support. But the innings was about more. It had substance.

Elliott came out to bat with New Zealand at 128 for three (they soon became 149 for four in the 22nd over) in pursuit of 298. He remained till New Zealand crossed the line at 299 for six. Three wickets fell after Elliott came, but he stayed on despite giving chances; these are signs of a man with character. He played a measured innings; he constructed a partnership with Corey Anderson; once Anderson was out in attempt to up the ante, Elliott switched from controller to aggressor.

This is not the first time Elliott has helped his team in a semi-final. In the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 semi-final against Pakistan, Elliott scored a 103-ball 75 to help New Zealand chase down 234 after they had been reduced to 126 for four. One must remember that Daniel Vettori had batted at No. 6 on that occasion; the batting line-up was not among the best.

However, chasing 234 in 50 overs in a Champions Trophy semi-final is very different then chasing down 298 in 43 overs in a World Cup semi-final. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel breathed fire; Vernon Philander was nagging; and Imran Tahir chipped in with canny variations. It was under these circumstances that Elliott showed his worth; he ensured his worth would be remembered.

At no point did Elliott look as destructive as a Brendon McCullum; nor did he look as composed as a Kane Williamson looks when the latter is on song. However, in the end he got the job done despite the intensity.  Pressure bore down on all involved in the match, but Elliott was the man who refused to succumb to it.

Had Elliott failed, selectors would have incurred the wrath. More importantly, Elliott would have left Eden Park labelled a failure. He did not let that happen. The faith of the selectors has been repaid; New Zealand will expect him to do similar things in the final.

(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RishadDsouza on Twitter)