Editorial: ODI win one for the ages

Tuesday's victory for the Black Caps is being talked about all over the world as one of the best one-day international cricket matches of all time.

The Black Caps' victory over South Africa in the Cricket World Cup semifinal has already been written into Kiwi sporting folklore.

My mind's probably still a bit hazy, but in terms of capturing the hearts and minds of the nation, it has to be up there with the original America's Cup victory in 1995 and the Tall Blacks' amazing run in the basketball World Championship of 2002.

Tuesday's victory is being talked about all over the world and has already been rated as one of the best one-day international cricket matches of all time, let alone in a World Cup.

New Zealanders and South Africans across the country were treated to one of the most nerve-racking, unpredictable and amazing sporting dramas I have been privileged to witness.

I must admit, for the four or so hours the Black Caps batted at Eden Park on Tuesday night I could not sit down. I turned the coverage off when Ross Taylor ran out Martin Guptill. I went for a walk. I turned on the radio and listened to some commentary. I did some dishes. Anything to take my mind off the match and its many twists and turns.

I grew more grey hairs, I aged about a decade.

Seeing the reaction on social media on Tuesday night and yesterday really brought home how much this Black Caps team has captured the imagination of Kiwis. Listening to Radio Sport callers who have never been fans of the great game tell their stories of how and where they watched the game and how excited they were was brilliant.

Parents, tell your children to take note and remember this piece of sporting history. Like the team's exploits in the 1992 Cricket World Cup, this will be talked about for many years to come. Keep dreaming big New Zealand, because these guys can do it and win the final. I'd love to see our boys beat Australia on their home turf, but come what may, they have made this cricket tragic a very happy man and the entire nation can be proud of their exploits.