In an alternate universe, Lahore and Auckland sit in each other’s laps. They both thrive together, with their very similar cultures. Boats from Auckland sail to Lahore every hour. No, even better. There are no boats between them. There is nothing between them. Not land, not water, not anything. They are one. Just as they were, momentarily, yesterday when Miller ran a couple off the last ball, it was in vain. He ran for nothing. New Zealand would have won the game anyway. Because alternate universe or not, New Zealand did see Auckland at an arm’s length while standing in Lahore.
The same Auckland where they took down the same opposition in another semi-final. Grant Elliott stood at the crease as New Zealand needed five runs from two deliveries in the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final. Five runs off two balls is not exactly a piece of cake when Dale Steyn is the one steaming in at the other end. But Elliott had only one thing on his mind: if he scored the winning runs, he would miss his sister’s wedding. She had chosen the date after confirming it with a then-unaware Elliott, who was a staunch believer in two things. First, New Zealand don’t make it to the tournament finals. Second, even if they somehow managed to do so once, it would be least of all due to his efforts.
He thought this as the universe let out a collective chuckle because that is exactly what happened.
Ten years on from that game, New Zealand and South Africa had another semi-final to play. There was no Elliott to hit the winning six nor to extend his hand to his fallen opponent. Since then, New Zealand have played and lost another World Cup final. Can they head towards one in the Champions Trophy?
Yes, and they did not take the down-to-wire path to final this time. They halted South Africa short of victory by 50 runs in an affair that remained one-sided throughout, lacking the drama of Auckland.
Yet it carried a reminiscent ecstasy with it. And with ecstasy came apprehension and fear. Will this be just another instance where they come tantalisingly close to the trophy, only to miss it by the barest of margins? If so, was it all really worth it? Is reaching the final really as rewarding if you know you’ll only always remain the second-best?
But New Zealand do not have time to think that. They didn’t in Auckland, nor in Lahore. They have a final to play, and hopefully win while they are at it. The odds might be entirely against them this time. But if Auckland can follow them to Lahore, it most definitely can meet them up in Dubai, too. Not caring whether the venue will be one of India’s weapons against them. Not worrying about how they were trounced at the same venue by the same team almost a week ago. All they know is that it’s been a while since they checked a first, and it’s about time they do it again.
