World Cup Cocktail

Bunch of winners, bunch of losers and now "bunch of semi-finalists heading for a World Cup win." The last one does not quite have the same ring to it, but it's what South Africa's sports minister Fikile Mbalula came up with in his press release congratulating the side for their historic, first-ever knockout win at a World Cup.

"This win ends a knockout victory drought that was brought upon us in the semi-final loss to England in 1992. Minister Mbalula thanks captain AB de Villiers for delivering on his promise that they won't choke today and also thanks South Africans for their continued support to the national team," the statement read.

"Going into the semi-finals, the Proteas will need more of our support. Those who labelled them chokers can now call them 'bunch of semi-finalists' who are heading for a World Cup Win."

Mbalula informed the team he would not travel to the World Cup unless they reached the semi-finals. He has yet to confirm his attendance in Auckland on Tuesday but retweeted a question asking if was traveling, perhaps in the hope of prompting his seniors.

Aleem Dar under pressure

Umpires at ICC World Cup 2015 have been under fire for making few errors and now another blunder was witnessed during the India-Bangladesh quarter-final yesterday. Indian opener Rohit Sharma benefited from a poor decision by Pakistan's experienced and award-winning umpire Aleem Dar and Bangladesh were robbed of a wicket. Dar was previously involved in another umpiring error in the World Cup game between Australia and England.

Dar, standing at square-leg, indicated the ball had been above Rohit's waist and his colleague Ian Gould called it. However, replays suggested that Rubel Hossain's delivery was not a beamer. At the time, Rohit was on 90 and India 195/3 in 39.3 overs.

The no-ball call resulted in Bangladesh losing out on a wicket and the right-hander went on to complete his century.

Spin legend Shane Warne, who was doing commentary at the time, was clearly upset with the decision. "That should have been a wicket. The ball was under the waist," said Warne. "He (Aleem Dar) has lost his confidence," Warne added. Even former India batsman VVS Laxman also felt it was not a no-ball. "Bad decision from Gould, was definitely not above the waist. Lucky break for Rohit. This can be the difference in getting an extra 20 runs," he tweeted.

Elliott knows his role

Grant Elliott knows his place in the Black Caps' bowling order.

If skipper Brendon McCullum throws him the ball, there's a chance that things have gone pear-shaped or he is needed to fill in some extra overs.

"You're under the pump all the time when you're bowling so you have to develop the skills to try and curb the runs as much as you can," Elliott said.

"So whenever I'm required to bowl, I guess that's my role to come in and try and get a wicket or stop the flow of runs.

"I've done it for Wellington, I've done it throughout my career."

Elliott was considered a bolter when the World Cup squad was named but a string of useful performances in the lead-up matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan justified his selection. He said contributing with both bat and ball was satisfying.

--Compiled