Posted March 25, 2015 12:16:48
Prominent New Zealanders were quick to congratulate the Black Caps after their dramatic win over South Africa in the Cricket World Cup semi-final in Auckland.
The classic rain-affected match at Eden Park ended when South African-born Grant Elliott sent the crowd into a frenzy, smashing a six off the second-last ball of the 43rd and final over to seal victory over the Proteas.
New Zealand had never reached a World Cup final before despite six semi-final appearances prior to 2015.
The celebrations went on into the night after the win, and New Zealand's media led with the result on Wednesday morning.
The front page of the New Zealand Herald newspaper had the headline "The final dream! The six that raised the roof".
"South African-born Grant Elliott last night smashed the Black Caps into cricket history with a towering six to defeat the Proteas and give New Zealand their first-ever chance to be crowned cricket's World Champions," the paper wrote.
Former All Blacks hooker and captain Sean Fitzpatrick - who was on the losing side in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa - called the result "fantastic".
Fitzpatrick told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The whole of New Zealand has got behind the cricket team and I think as AB de Villiers said post match, it was the most electric atmosphere."
"The whole World Cup has been fantastic. Brendon McCullum has turned this team around from four years ago. They have come out and played a brand of cricket that is being enjoyed all over the world.
Former Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming found a moment to commiserate with the losing South African team amid the celebrations.
"What an unbelievable game. So proud of the @BLACKCAPS and what they have achieved. Also feel the raw pain of @OfficialCSA on an amazing day."
New Zealand prime minister John Key was one of many to tweet his delight at the result: "Congratulations @Blackcaps on a fantastic win! Looking forward to watching you in the final on Sunday. #BackTheBlackcaps #CWC15", he tweeted.
Former prime minister Helen Clark - now head of the United Nations Development Program - also tweeted: "Congrats @BLACKCAPS - true grit! On to finals."
Kiwi-born actor Russell Crowe was short and to the point: "Well done @BLACKCAPS ..." he posted on Twitter.
New Zealand shot putter Valerie Adams, who has won two Olympic gold medals and four world titles, was another to respond to the team's success.
"How exciting for NZ and our @BLACKCAPS #congratulations #BacktheBlackCaps #FinalsHereWeCome #NZpride," she tweeted.
Former All Black Dan Carter was training with the Crusaders in Johannesburg ahead of their Super Rugby clash with the Bulls in Pretoria this weekend as the dramatic run-chase played out.
"Our training finished here in Joburg with 6 balls left in the cricket. What an amazing finish. Huge congrats to the @BLACKCAPS," he tweeted.
Raelene Castle, the chief executive of the Canterbury Bulldogs NRL club, also added her congratulations to the team: "Sound proud of the composure @BLACKCAPS showed! @grantelliottnz Bring on the MCG! #NZvSA #proudkiwi".
Topics: sport, cricket, new-zealand