New Zealand Cricket World Cup hero Grant Elliott sledged during park cricket in Brisbane

OVERNIGHT sensation Grant Elliott has become a star of New Zealand’s run to the cricket World Cup final but not so long ago, he was playing and missing in Brisbane.

Cricket World Cup

FUNKY Miller’s XI. Paddy’s XI. World Cup hero.

The three would not normally sit in the same cricket portfolio but they are part of the exotic journey of New Zealand’s unlikely World Cup star Grant Elliott.

The six Elliott hit against South Africa that carried New Zealand into the World Cup final echoed around the world but his journey also included times when his sixes echoed across vacant pasture and the only heads they turned were owned by a few curious magpies.

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Like the day, five years ago, when he made a surprise appearance in the Brisbane Warehouse competition at Marchant Park, Chermside, at the urging of the then New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen.

New Zealand’s Grant Elliott raises his arms in celebration with teammate Dan Vettori, as South Africa's Dale Steyn reacts after they defeated South Africa by four wickets in their Cricket World Cup semi-final in Auckland.(AP Photo/David Rowland)

To ensure he did not cause an imbalance in the game, Elliott batted for both teams, scoring 51 and 50 retired.

He mixed comfortably with both sides, particularly the Paddy’s XI, a group of Nudgee College old boys.

He was dropped once in each innings, but found that even at lower levels of the game, Australian players are quick on the lip.

“The boys had some good banter,’’ he said at the time. “When I played and missed they appealed and reminded me that this might not be World Cup cricket but they walk when they are out.’’

South African-born Elliott is one of the feel-good stories of the Cup.

Grant Elliott playing in the Brisbane Warehouse cricket league. Picture: David Kapernick

It was widely considered he was the last of the 15 players chosen for the Cup and at age 36 this was palpably his last chance.

“When I emigrated to New Zealand I wanted to become a New Zealander,’’ he said. “I’ve made New Zealand my home. It’s great to repay the hospitality that everyone has shown. I love the country.

“It’s sad that I left South Africa when I did but New Zealand is my home and I am pretty stoked to get us to the final.’’

New Zealand’s appearance in Sunday’s final will come at a cost for Elliott because he will have to miss his sister’s wedding.

“She has got her wedding on Friday,’’ he said. “Unfortunately I will miss it and I’m sorry. She is pretty happy for me but I’m going to have to get her a special gift I think.’’

We all know what that could be.

Originally published as New Zealand Cricket World Cup hero Grant Elliott sledged during park cricket in Brisbane