Well, the second semi-final couldn't possibly match the thrilling drama of the first, but the joyous Indian crowds at the SCG must have left even battle-hardened wearers of the Green Baggie with a smidgeon of respect. Steve Smith's century, and a late onslaught from Johnson and Faulkner, left India with a huge mountain to climb.
MS Dhoni reckoned that 328 was a par score but few sides have ever chased down such a target at Sydney, let alone India, whose record in Australia is famously poor. However, this is the World Cup, India the reigning champions and they were unbeaten throughout the competition. With their supporters thronging the ground, could Australia's home advantage be nullified?
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave India a solid start but the latter's rash drive to the hands of Maxwell signalled the beginning of the end. The Aussie pacemen brilliantly strangled Virat Kohli, who could manage only a single in eleven balls, Suresh Raina and Sharma, and the required rate rapidly reached double figures. Enter MS Dhoni. The fans believed, maybe even the captain himself believed. However, even MSD is mortal and by the time he was run out in the 45th over, India needed a miracle. Instead they got the return of Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner who brushed aside the Indian tail and booked a place at the MCG at the weekend.
It was hardly a close encounter, unlike the fabulous game between New Zealand and South Africa. With neither side having made even a World Cup final before, it was hard to pick a winner in advance. SA boasted some global megastars, NZ a few match-winners and some great competitors. Much like many previous Black Cap teams from the days of Crowe, Hadlee, Fleming, Cairns and Greatbatch!
However, despite predictable contributions from AB De Villiers, David Miller and Morne Morkel, it was an opening salvo from Brendon McCullum off Dale Steyn, slogs from Corey Anderson and a wonderful innings of apparently calm, calculated aggression (is that possible?) by new recruit Grant Elliott to deliver victory off the penultimate ball in front of a frenzied Auckland crowd.
Having followed the climax online via CricInfo I was desperate to see highlights on Tuesday evening. However, watching such a contest reduced to a tedious succession of fours, sixes, missed catches and wickets did the sport and broadcasters a disservice. Surely it would have been the dot balls, the stretching muscles of a weary Steyn, and the shots of nail-chewing Kiwis which would have made for a more enjoyable TV experience.
Obviously I feel for the desperately sad South African losers who most certainly did NOT choke. They were beaten by an excellent team and it' a team I'd love to see repeat their last wicket heroics in the group stage against Australia in the final. That's what my heart says, but my head goes with the flow and sees Michael Clarke lifting the trophy on home territory in a few days' time.
