Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has said that there is a dream-like euphoria mixed with a 'pinch-me' feeling of disbelief throughout the nation after the Black Caps smashed that World Cup 'glass ceiling' by advancing to the final.
Fleming said that he was in a dream state after New Zealand sealed their place in the Cricket World Cup final following a four-wicket win in an electrifying semifinal against South Africa at Eden Park. But he admitted that the wall-to-wall media coverage of the morning after the night was enough to convince him that it was not, and that was a relief.
But, the former skipper claimed that there is a dream-like euphoria mixed with a pinch-him feeling of disbelief throughout the country, given the Black Caps' success in winning their way through to Melbourne and Sunday's final has finally smashed that World Cup glass ceiling by banishing all the years of semifinal heartaches, Stuff.co.nz reported.
Fleming, who was in charge of the 1999 and 2007 semifinal exits, said the freedom and quality with which New Zealand are playing with warms the heart.
Fleming had special praise for skipper McCullum, who wrestled back the advantage for New Zealand with his early batting display, and Grant Elliott, who hit a six off the second to last ball to send the Kiwis into their first final.
Fleming said that he takes his Black Cap off to McCullum for the crucial role he played with the bat in seizing the initiative for his side.
Fleming also stated that Elliott's innings showed once again what an inspired selection the middle-order batsman has been, adding that it is hard to believe now, given what he has shown over the past three months, that he was on the outer as recently as the series in the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan in December.
