Cricket World Cup: Vettori's standing as talisman goes up in leaps and boundaries

Dan Vettori says he will enjoy watching today's semifinal between Australia and India in Sydney. Photo / Jason Oxenham

By clamping down on a late cut to the third man boundary from an attempted Dale Steyn yorker, Daniel Vettori etched another chapter in his cricketing valedictory at Eden Park on Tuesday.

Grant Elliott deservedly received the majority of kudos for his match-winning six two balls later in the semifinal win over South Africa - after Vettori had scampered for a bye - but New Zealand's bespectacled doyen made a towering contribution.

In a curious twist, the senior pro's batting and fielding has had as much impact as his bowling in the knock-out matches. What's referred to as the "Air Vettori", in a nod to basketballer Michael Jordan's iconic brand, saw West Indian Marlon Samuels removed in the quarter-final when Vettori enacted a leap to rival a migrating salmon.

His 16 from 10 balls to nullify Bangladesh with seven balls to spare was vital in Hamilton, and an Auckland scorebook which reads "7" and "6" in Vettori's runs and balls columns seems one-dimensional given what he faced entering with 29 runs required off 17 balls.

Couple that with 15 tournament wickets at 18.80 and an economy rate of 3.98. Australia's Mitchell Starc is the only other bowler to play in more than two matches and bowl more than 50 balls to concede under four an over (3.74).

Vettori's talismanic effect is beyond quantitative measurement. Had he failed to pass muster, New Zealand chances of reaching a World Cup final would have drastically reduced.

He has been in pursuit of ODI cricket's Holy Grail for half his 36 years. He gets the chance to contest the ultimate in what's expected to be his final international match.

"It's exciting to have a 'grand final week' experience," Vettori said. "We can look forward to that and sit back to watch the other semifinal [Australia v India today in Sydney].

"Coming together in front of that sort of [Eden Park] crowd is one of the most perfect moments in my career. [But] going by the state of my wife and parents, it is easier to play than to watch," he deadpanned.

He acknowledged reaching the final was special. "No one else in New Zealand cricket history has experienced that, so it is novel to us but exciting as well."

Vettori relinquished the captaincy in 2011 but found a second wind in the Mike Hesson-Brendon McCullum coach-skipper reign.

"Mike's pragmatic approach has future-proofed a lot of things.

"He works in the background with a leader like Brendon who is so in control emotionally and an inspiration to the team. It makes for the perfect combination."

Hesson and McCullum were quick to respond in kind.

Hesson confirmed Vettori was emotional after their victory.

"Dan loves the game and knows its history. He's a huge part of this team and has added a lot of calmness. He's a joker at times but to have him out there [at the end against South Africa] we were certainly confident."

"It was potentially his last game on New Zealand soil," McCullum added. "So to be there at the end, and be as instrumental and calm under pressure, I couldn't think of two better blokes to have involved at the wily old age of 36. You can't buy that experience."

Gongs for 'supporting factor'

1999: v South Africa, Dunedin
Six runs from six balls in stand with Chris Harris to enable New Zealand to lead six-match series 1-0.

2005: v Australia, Christchurch
23 off 12 balls helping Brendon McCullum (50 off 25 balls) achieve a then-world record chase.

2006: v West Indies, Queenstown
53 off 56 as he is joined by James Franklin to help see the side home with 63 for 8th wicket.

2015: v Bangladesh, Hamilton
16 off 10 balls with an inside-out six over extra cover to bring the required rate under a run-a-ball.

2015: v South Africa, Auckland
Seven off six to propel the country into an inaugural berth in a World Cup final.