Elliott thanks Foxes fans for support

* Grant Elliott and New Zealand will be coming to Grace Road during the 2015 season. We have some fantastic hospitality packages available throughout the year.

Leicestershire Foxes star Grant Elliott said New Zealand will keep their feet on the ground after their stunning ICC World Cup semi-final success against South Africa.

The experienced batsman played a gem of an innings to see the Black Caps over the line, his winning six off the penultimate ball sending a huge Auckland crowd into raptures.

It will be a story to tell the grandchildren one day but for now, Elliott said New Zealand must remain focused and stick to the preparation that has served them so well so far.

He said: “I don't like to get too high or low - I prefer to reflect later - but it is a great moment to share with family and the team. 

“The support has been absolutely amazing and the win was definitely for our fans. It was an incredible feeling winning the game with 40,000 supporters cheering us on at Eden Park. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

“South Africa bowled well and are a world-class side but we played well and rode our luck a little bit. It was our day. The feeling in the team is that it was destined - that is how I felt. It feels like it was meant to be.

"The best team on the day will win the final. We have nothing to lose. Someone has to step up. We'll just approach it like any other game because that has worked for us so far.”

There were a lot of congratulatory messages for Elliott from Leicestershire fans via email and social media as they watched the drama unfold on television.

Good luck messages have already been coming in ahead of the Final and Elliott said the team is thankful for the support they have received from all quarters.

The Black Caps head to England this summer and play a one-day tour game at Grace Road as part of their preparations for the ODI series, so there is a great opportunity for Leicestershire supporters to see New Zealand in action.

He said: “I’d like to thank the Leicestershire fans for taking the time to wish us well and I am looking forward to linking up with the Foxes for NatWest T20 Blast. It is a format I also enjoy playing and I want to contribute as much as I can, both on and off the field.

“I know that Scott Styris enjoyed his time at Leicestershire last year so there has been a New Zealand connection at Grace Road in recent times.

“A number of our current team have enjoyed playing in county cricket recently, like Martin Guptill at Derbyshire and Kane Williamson at Yorkshire, so it promises to be an exciting summer with some of New Zealand lads playing against each other. I can’t wait!

“New Zealand have always enjoyed playing in England in the past and it promises to be a good tour. We have set out to play an entertaining brand of cricket in this ICC World Cup and it will be great for the team to play some more ODIs in England as well as the test series and the one-off T20 international.”