Former South Africa captain Ali Bacher has questioned the truncation of Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland.

The match, reduced to 43 overs per side by rain, saw New Zealand beat the Proteas by four wickets. The Black Caps will meet fellow tournament co-hosts Australia in Sunday’s final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

‘When the rain started to fall, I consulted cricket statistician Andrew Sampson about the rules. Provision is, indeed, made for inclement weather and therefore a reserve day is set aside,” Bacher was quoted as saying by Netwerk24.

‘I was under the impression that the Duckworth-Lewis formula would only come into effect on the reserve day, but Andrew said it already counts on the first day. I think it’s crazy to use Duckworth-Lewis if you have a reserve day.’

Half-centurions Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers were at the fore of South Africa’s final total of 281 for five, which was belatedly boosted by a cavalier 49 from the left-handed David Miller.

The Kiwis later reached a revised target of 298 with a delivery to spare, thanks largely to the Johannesburg-born Grant Elliott’s commanding 84 not out – and complementary half-tons from captain Brendon McCullum and all-rounder Corey Anderson.