World Cup hero calls time on career

New Zealand’s 2015 World Cup hero Grant Elliott has called time on his globe-trotting cricket career more than 20 years after his first-class debut.

With one thunderous swing of the bat, Elliott entered Black Caps folklore when he launched South Africa champion quick Dale Steyn for six to advance New Zealand into their maiden World Cup final in a thriller at Eden Park.

While Elliott, 39, may well be remembered for that strike, his tale is one of a journeyman whose first steps were about as far away as you can get from New Zealand.

Born in Johannesburg, Elliott made his first-class debut in January 1997 for Transvaal B against Natal B at Kingsmead, making 67 batting at No.8 and taking 0-30 from six overs.

He played his last domestic game in South Africa in November 2002 and headed to New Zealand on the recommendation of his captain at Gauteng, former Black Caps Test skipper Ken Rutherford, who saw South Africa’s quota system potentially blocking Elliott’s opportunities in representative teams.

Less than six years later he made his Test debut for New Zealand against England in Napier, where he batted at No.6 and bowled first change.

He would play only four more Tests but made his name as a limited-overs allrounder, featuring in 83 one-day internationals and 17 T20s for New Zealand.

In 2009, he became the first Kiwi to score an ODI century at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and six years later scored his second and last ODI hundred, against Sri Lanka on home soil on the eve of the World Cup.

The right-hander carried that stellar form into the quadrennial 50-over showpiece, where his unbeaten 84 sunk South Africa in the famous semi-final in Auckland, before posting a match-high 83 in the final against Australia.

He played his last game in Birmingham as captain of the Bears in England’s T20 competition, ending a career he dreamt of as a boy.

"Started in Johannesburg finished in Birmingham. I remember being 12 and writing down my life goals. To play in a World Cup, play international cricket and play county cricket. 27 years on and I have loved every minute of it," Elliott wrote on Instagram.

"Thanks to all the memorable people I have met that have made this journey special. To family and friends who have given me unwavering support despite all the sacrifices I have had to make that have impacted them.

"This game is a special one but it doesn't define us. Looking forward to the future with great excitement and sharing a drink with those selfless players I shared a change room with."