New Zealand and South Africa met in the first semi-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Auckland on Tuesday. South Africa won the toss and batted first, but were off to a poor start with Trent Boult knocking out both openers. Shiamak Unwalla brings the highlights of the first innings. Live Updates: New Zealand vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi-Final 1
1. Trent Boult delivers some thunderbolts: Trent Boult was already the leading wicket-taker before the start of the match. Seven overs into his spell, he showed just why that was the case. He bowled superbly with the new ball, getting the ball to swirl around off the pitch and in the air, snapping up Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock to leave South Africa reeling at 31 for two. Live Scorecard: New Zealand vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi-Final 1
2. Faf du Plessis the fire-fighter: Of all the batsmen in South Africa’s line-up, Faf du Plessis is perhaps the most assured of the lot. Batting at his usual No. 3 position, du Plessis left anything outside the off stump. He was so solid that he got beaten just once in the first few overs. He did not bother with scoring too many runs initially, focusing more on preserving his wicket. The move paid rich dividends, as he first had a partnership worth 83 with Rilee Rossouw and then a potentially match-winning 103 with AB de Villiers. He was out off the second delivery after the interruption for a well-compiled 82 off 107. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
3. Cometh the hour, cometh AB de Villiers: If du Plessis was rock solid at one end, AB de Villiers was at his belligerent best at the other. He came in with South Africa well-placed at 114 for three in the 27th over, and played a typically ravaging innings. He was on 60 off 38 deliveries before rain came down, and continued on his way after the break. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
4. Rain doesn’t rain on South Africa’s parade: South Africa were in a terrific position at 216 for three in 38 overs with both du Plessis and de Villiers starting to get going. The interruption got the better of du Plessis, who was out off the second delivery after the break. However, David Miller came in and started striking the ball cleanly from the start, hammering an 18-ball 49 and dominating a 55-run stand with de Villiers. South Africa ended at 281 for five, and left New Zealand with a 298-run target as per the Duckworth-Lewis method. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek and Cricket fanatic. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
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