ACC & Hauraki Head G Lane books last-minute flight to England

By: Luke Kirkness for the NZ Herald

Diehard cricket fans have sprung into action after the Black Caps shock win in the Cricket World Cup semi-final.

Radio Hauraki content director Mike Lane was so inspired after watching the Kiwi side defeat India by 18 runs that he booked a flight to England tomorrow in the hope of seeing New Zealand lift the trophy on Monday (NZT).

"I booked them at 3am last night and then I had to tell my family this morning over the breakfast table which didn't go down overly well," he told the Herald.

"I spend more time in the air than on the ground. I fly out at 2pm tomorrow, get there at 6am on Saturday. I have Saturday there, then the final and off on Monday.

"If I didn't go and New Zealand won the World Cup I'd never forgive myself so I have to go."

The TAB today confirmed there were plenty of people who had faith in the Black Caps.

"$200,000 came in on New Zealand last night and $600,000 was paid out to those who backed the Kiwis," Mark Stafford of the TAB said.

"It was the largest turnover from a single event this year.

"For the first time we're starting to see a lot of money going on New Zealand to lift the cup," he said.

Lane, also part of The Alternative Commentary Collective, believed it would be the Aussies we play in the final.

"Unfortunately, I think Australia is gonna win and it'll be a rematch at Lords of 2015," he said.

"I would love to play England at the home of cricket at Lord's, but an Australian team at these tournaments are very, very difficult to beat.

"If England and India are knocked out I'm hoping there's going to be plenty of tickets floating about."

Last night's semi-final saw India chasing 240 for a spot in the World Cup final but New Zealand's efforts in the field made up for a poor innings with the bat.

"I think we jokingly said if we can rip them a new one in the top order and get rid of Rahul, Sharma and Kohli, cheaply, then we'll be in with a chance," Lane said.

"When they were five runs for three down, I didn't quite expect us to rip them quite as large a one as they did - from then on they were on the back foot.

"Everything just worked really well. As soon as they got those three wickets, the whole vibe of the team changed."

Asked whether he'd decide to bat or bowl if New Zealand won the toss on Sunday, Lane answered swiftly without hesitation.

"Bowl first. We learnt our lesson from the MCG."

Don't miss the ACC's commentary of the Final live on iHeartRADIO, Radio Hauraki and Facebook  from 9:30pm Sunday.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission