The stocky Devon-born Left-hander, indeed, has almost become a talisman for the New Zealand team. He will never have the sporting sex-appeal of the big-hitting Lance Klusener, just as New Zealand will never match the attractions of the South Africans. But he is an honest trier. He nudges and nurdles, eking out runs. And he is effective.

He would rather give you his fingernails than his wicket. Five not-outs in eight visits to the crease have given him a World Cup average of 90.66. His undefeated 60 against India, capped by the winning runs as he pulled leg spinner Anil Kumble to the mid-wicket fence, underlined his value.

Earlier, he had made sure his team qualified for the second-round with an 80 not out against the Australians. OnSaturday, he had come to the crease with the New Zealand run-chase wobbling at 90 for three. Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan and Stephen Fleming had all fallen to extravagant shots.

Twose, who made his debut for New Zealand in the 1995-96 season after emigrating and marrying a local woman, came in and did what he does best, taking things back to basics.

He said: ``It has been a good World Cup and it is great to be in England where my parents and brother have managed to come to every game. ``It is a great feeling when you see their faces at the end of the match.''

Twose, the nephew of former English wicket-keeper Roger Tolchard, almost did not make the World Cup. Two years ago he went into self-imposed exile. A loss of form and `business reasons' seemed to have ended his international career before it had really begun. Yet last December, after limiting himself to captaining Wellington, he was drafted back after Astle broke a bone in his hand.

He has not looked back.

If he can take New Zealand into theirfirst World Cup final -- they reached the last four in 1975, 1979 and 1992 -- he will be the toast of the nation. A few people will also raise a glass to him in Warwickshire, where he played much of his early cricket under the tutelage of Bob Woolmer.

And he will also have a few people wishing him well in the English coastal town of Torquay, his birthplace.