"When I emigrated to New Zealand I wanted to become a New Zealander. I've made New Zealand my home. It's great to repay the hospitality that everyone has shown. I love the country.
"It's sad that I left South Africa when I did ... but New Zealand is my home and I'm pretty stoked to get [us] to the final."
So far, so straight, but there's more to Elliott's back story that meets the eye.
A man who can grow a full beard in a matter of minutes might be used to close shaves, but it's unlikely the public has full appreciation of just how close he was to missing out on his World Cup dream.
Our newest national hero was almost certainly the 15th man picked in Mike Hesson's 15-man World Cup squad.
When he missed selection in the three-match ODI series against South Africa in October despite the absence of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor - Jimmy Neesham, Dean Brownlie and World Cup back-up batsman Tom Latham were preferred - the door was effectively closed on Elliott as either back-up allrounder or back-up batsman.
It is understood he was effectively told this, though captain Brendon McCullum yesterday said he was always in the selectors' minds (though right at the back).
"He has spent some time out but was by no means out altogether. His domestic performances banged the door down. He grabbed his opportunity and reminded last night why he's a guy you never shut the door on."
Elliott did what good players, veteran players, do. He went back to the Georgie Pie Super Smash and loudly reinvented his game.
Suddenly Elliott was accessing boundary areas earlier in his innings. A heady, diligent batsman was, at the relatively advanced age of 35, becoming explosive.
Domestic cricket in this country can be a wasteland of broken dreams but in Elliott's case, the selectors took notice. When it came time to make the toughest cull, they opted for Elliott's experience, his reputation as a great team man and, most importantly, his greater shot-making confidence over a younger, and quite probably more talented, compatriot Neesham.
Despite many sceptics, including this writer, it will now be remembered as one of the most inspired selections in New Zealand cricket history.
But if you expect Elliott to give a two-fingered salute to his critics, you'll be looking for a long time. If anybody embodies that hoary old chestnut, that there is no I in team, it's him.
"We've got a team that plays for each other and the four million people in New Zealand. That's the big picture. When you play for the team it takes away that insular feeling; we have none of that in our team."
What they do have is grit by the truck load, and a refusal to quit. They might occasionally get outplayed, but they don't get outfought. That hasn't always been the case with all our cricketers, but it has with Elliott. He can say without fear of contradiction he has maximised his talent.
He confessed that he was feeling the pressure, that he worried what it would feel like to be 78 not out and having failed, rather than being 84 not out and a legend. It is why he showed true class when the rest of the stadium just wanted to party. There's a beautiful image that is circulating the world, an indelible image, of Elliott reaching down and picking up a crestfallen Steyn.
"You have to feel compassion. Humble in victory, humble in defeat. It's just part of, I guess, who I am. I felt quite sorry for him; I felt quite sorry for a lot of the South African guys," he said.
"It could have been us. It could have been me sitting there.
"If I had missed the last two balls I would have been pretty gutted as well, along with 40,000 people in the stadium I'm sure."
Elliott's place in our sporting story is now secure. The boy who was suspended from school and cricket after his mum let him stay home to watch South Africa play Australia in the 1992 World Cup has fulfilled his dream of being part of the tournament.
"It's funny how life works. I'm at Eden Park today hitting the winning runs to take New Zealand [to the final]. It's been quite an awesome journey."
A journey that came frighteningly close to ending before it started.
Elliott's big night
• 84 not out in 73 balls
• 7 fours and 3 sixes
• Hit Dale Steyn for six to win semifinal off penultimate ball
• Shared 103-run partnership with Corey Anderson in 98 balls
• Shared unbroken 30-run partnership with Daniel Vettori in 16 balls
