Cricket World Cup: Black Caps v South Africa in decibels

Fans get loud as they watch the Cricket World Cup semi final between South Africa and New Zealand at Eden Park. Photo / Fiona Goodall/ Getty Images

The New Zealand Herald's decibel meter was put through its paces at Eden Park last night.

It exceeded 100 decibels 12 times during Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum's innings, the highest at 106 when he brought up his 50.

It slowed down during Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott's consolidating middle overs partnership, reaching more than 100 once for a Taylor-struck four in the 17th over.

It reached 101 when South African captain AB de Villiers missed a crucial runout in the 31st over, and then continued to regularly hit 100 when Elliott blasted several boundaries in the later overs.

The 100-run partnership between Elliott and Corey Anderson received a 102 decibel cheer, and it reached 105 when two South African players ran into each other, dropping a catch from Elliott's bat.

A Daniel Vettori single in the final over reached a whopping 101 decibels, and his subsequent four reached 105.

Dale Steyn's wide also drew a 100-decibel cheer from the pumped Eden Park crowd.

Elliott's match-winning six reached 107 decibels - sustained for some time.

The hum inside the stadium prior to the game was about 60 decibels; when the teams came on to the field it reached 90; it was 100 decibels after New Zealand's national anthem; 97 ahead of the first ball; and a 105-decibel roar went up after Trent Boult took Hashim Amla's wicket.