Grant Elliott was given a torrid time by the Aussies. He still managed to bat responsibly to score 83.
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South Africa-born New Zealand batsman Grant Elliott slammed a gritty 83 off 82 deliveries against a fierce Australian bowling attack at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Coming to the middle with his team at 33/2 in the 12th over of the World Cup 2015 final, Elliott's knock helped New Zealand post a modest 183.
Hero of the semifinal against South Africa when his 84* took the Kiwis to their first-ever World Cup final, Elliott was promoted after Australia removed Brendon McCullum (0) and Kane Williamson (12) early. Even the much-feared Martin Guptill could not last for too long but the top-order collapse did not deter Ellitott from playing his natural game. (Grant Elliott forces South Africa to count cost of exodus)
The 36-year-old partnered Ross Taylor and took his time to settle in on a bouncy MCG track. The pace of rebuilding the innings was painstakingly slow - New Zealand were 66/3 after 20 overs. Yet, it was much-needed as the Aussie pace battery was left rather silent after the early deluge of wickets. (Grant Elliott, take a bow: Kevin Pietersen)
Once settled though, Elliott picked up the pace without� taking any risk at all and eventually managed to complete his ninth ODI fifty off 51 balls. He also put on 111 runs for the fourth wicket with Taylor. (Grant Elliott, the South African who knocked South Africa out)
The 36th over of the innings created ripples in the New Zealand innings once again. James Faulkner induced an edge off Taylor's bat and returned two balls later to send Corey Anderson packing with a yorker-length ball. Luke Ronchi fell in the next over, leaving Elliott as a mere spectator - once again. The calm batsman though displayed nerves of steels right till the 42nd over when - trying to slog Faulkner, Elliott played his first brash shot of the day. It was also going to be his last in the innings.
New Zealand will now look at their pacers to do what the Aussie bowlers did early on. With the likes of Trent Boult and Tim Southee in excellent form, the rather moderate total may well be considered defendable by most.
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