Black Caps' historic win: world media reacts

Sydney Morning Herald: Proteas' chance slips through fingers

After victory over South Africa in four dramatic acts, New Zealand is in the World Cup final for the first time. For the Kiwis, it is exorcism after six losing semi-finals, for the poor old South Africans further haunting. For them, defeat was made more cruel by the fact that it was an emigré from South Africa who drove home the final nail. Grant Elliott, in all its senses a journeyman, blithely clouted the second last ball of the match — delivered by Dayle Steyn, no less — over long-on for six to consummate a memorable triumph.

New Zealand's cricket has been compelling in this tournament, sweeping up the country, making believers of sceptics and evangelists of believers. The Black Caps were literally the talk of the town in Auckland. This year, it would be different. But always when a good New Zealand cricket team emerges, a sense lingers that like a fable from middle earth, it will finish in a moment, and the lights will go up. Not this time; these Kiwis are for real.

Times (South Africa) De Villiers takes blame for South Africa blunder show

Distraught South Africa captain AB de Villiers laid the blame for the World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand on a string of costly errors led by his own failure to run out Corey Anderson.

He ruled out using the rain as an excuse, despite South Africa losing seven overs when they had set themselves up for a big charge at the end of their innings.

"We had opportunities to adjust and we did and I felt it was enough. The chances we had in the second innings showed that it was enough," he said.

The Guardian: New Zealand’s Grant Elliott sinks South Africa to win thrilling semi-final

Grant Elliott, perceived by some to be the weak link in the New Zealand batting, ended a wonderful, pulsating semi-final by hitting the penultimate ball of the match from the finest fast bowler on the planet high over wide long-on and into the heaving stands to send 40,000 people into raptures.

As the ball sailed over the boundary, Elliott raised his arms aloft. It was, said the South Africa captain, AB de Villiers, afterwards, scarcely holding back the tears, the shot of his life. 

The Telegraph: Grant Elliott leads New Zealand to sensational win over South Africa

It was one of the great World Cup matches, fit to rank alongside the 1999 epic semi-final between Australia and South Africa, or the 2011 final.

The crowd made a third party: “the most electric crowd” that AB de Villiers had known. Eden Park was a cockpit containing the noise, and what roaring and clapping and standing ovations there were by the 40,000 whenever New Zealand bowled a dot-ball or scored a run, let alone when Brendon McCullum unleashed his assault of 59 for 26 balls or Elliott saw his adopted country home.

ESPN Cricinfo: New Zealand hold nerve to leave SA heartbroken

Incredible, just incredible. Amid scenes of rare passion, of the like New Zealand has never seen for a cricket match, Grant Elliott played the innings of his life to carry his adopted country into the World Cup final against the land of his birth.

Only one higher total had been successfully chased on this ground in ODIs, but six overs of McCullum, after the match had been trimmed to 43 overs by rain, completely changed the complexion. 

Daily Mail: Black Caps having 'the greatest time of our lives' at home World Cup

New Zealand were stuttering on 149 for four when Elliott and Corey Anderson (58) steadied the ship with a fifth-wicket stand of 103 from 16.2 overs to keep them in the game.

McCullum was keen to pay tribute to his match-winner, adding: "What a great innings from Grant Elliott. It was wow. He came out of the wilderness not that long ago and he's just played a match-winning innings in a semi-final, and the partnership him and Corey had just had such calmness as well."

The Independent: Grant Elliott hits a six to send Black Caps into first ever Cricket World Cup final

At times it felt as if the entire population was in Eden Park to cheer on their team – indeed it was frequently as loud and vibrant as Eden Gardens, Kolkata - and they were rewarded handsomely.

Elliot, who finished on 84no from 73 balls, was the hero of the moment and he embodied a team who refused to concede defeat and played at times as though it was their destiny to make the final in Melbourne on Sunday.

The Wall Street Journal: Live Blog - NZ vs South Africa

New Zealand pulls through, but now it must play overseas for the first time in the tournament, as the final is at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. New Zealand has been a great host, embracing this tournament. It is a shame the final isn’t here in Auckland as the atmosphere is electric and the stadium is stunning (and perfect for big sixes).

The Black Caps will play the winner of Thursday’s semifinal between Australia and India. That promises to be another thriller, but it has its work cut out if it is to match this first semifinal for drama. 

Recommended reading - The Guardian: Five balls, so many stories – the last-over drama of that semi-final