Cricket World Cup: 23 runs from 12 balls - how to win a semi-final

Dan Vettori of New Zealand celebrates after Grant Elliott hit the winning runs the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final match between New Zealand and South Africa. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

As Morne Morkel picked up the ball to bowl the penultimate over of the cricket World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa, the Black Caps needed 23 to win off 12 balls.

Daniel Vettori had just made his way out to the crease and was ready to face his second ball and was joined by Grant Elliott who had paced his way to 70 off 68 balls.

Here is what happened next:

41.1 - Morkel sends through a full toss which Vettori hits into the covers, but Hashim Amla dives heroically to save three runs as the Black Caps scuttle through for a single.

22 needed off 11 balls

41.2 - Elliott steps across onto his off stump and skies the ball high in the air on the on side. Incredibly, it landed right in the middle of three scrambling South African fielders and the Black Caps pick up two runs.

20 needed off 10 balls

41.3 - Elliott step mis-times an on-field slog and the ball dribbles to mid-wicket for a single.

19 needed of 9 balls

41.4 - Vettori steps across his off stump and hammers Morkel down toward backward leg but Dale Steyn throws himself across the boundary to prevent a four. Black Caps get another single.

18 needed off 8 balls

41.5 - Morkel bowls a full delivery on off-stump and Elliott thrashes a four through cover. The sold out Eden Park crowd erupts.

14 needed off 7 balls

41.6 - Elliott sends one straight up in the air but it's placed right between two South African fielders. Farhaan Behardien had lined up the catch but JP Duminy came steaming toward him putting him off and making him spill it. The Black Caps, inexplicably were standing in the middle watching and missed out on a run. They ran two instead of three.

New Zealand went into the final over needing 12 runs to win the match and 11 to tie which would also book a spot in the final.

42.1 - Vettori plays and misses but New Zealand run a bye.

11 needed off 5 balls

42.2 - A full toss by Elliott can't find a gap. He finds David Miller at cover instead and scrambles for a single.

Steyn calls for a physio after pulling up lame going for the ball on the Miller throw adding more tension.

10 needed from 4 balls

42.3 - Steyn bowls a wide Yorker and Vettori chops down onto it sending the ball past Morne Morkel and third man and over the boundary.

6 needed off 3 balls

42.4 - Another bye and Vettori plays and misses at a short ball. They sprint through for a single anyway and Elliott gets back on strike.

Five runs needed off 2 balls

42.5 - Steyn bowls short of a length on off stump and Elliott sends the ball deep over cow corner for six. The crowd erupts. New Zealand win by four wickets with a ball to spare and are through to the World Cup final.