Dubai, Oct 20: New Zealand produced a superb display to beat South Africa in Dubai and win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Melie Kerr was the hero for New Zealand, top-scoring with 43 before bagging 3/23 as the White Ferns beat South Africa by 32 runs to win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time in their history.
Having been asked to bat first, New Zealand got off to a decent start through the veteran opener Suzie Bates (32), who came the most capped player in the history of Women’s Internationals with her appearance in the game.And, despite wickets falling, the Kiwis build well through the middle overs, as Kerr (43) played an anchoring role alongside the explosive Brooke Halliday (38).
A late cameo from Maddy Green lifted the total to 158/5, leaving South Africa with a stern test.
A fast start from South Africa’s openers gave the Proteas hope that it would be they who would win their first title, but a flurry of wickets saw the game slip away.A dramatic double-wicket over from Kerr saw Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Anneke Bosch (9) depart in quick succession, leaving South Africa needing something special from their middle order.But wickets kept on tumbling, with Rosemary Mair in the thick of the action with her 3/25, as the run rate went from high to unattainable.
And the result had long been determined before Eden Carson sent down the final ball of the tournament, as South Africa finished on 126/9, still 32 runs short.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and decided to bowl first against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.Both teams were unchanged, while White Ferns captain Sophie Devine said she was happy with the toss outcome and would have batted first in any case.
And her top order showed why, getting the Kiwis off to a decent start in the powerplay.
Georgia Plimmer’s attacking start came to an abrupt end when Sune Luus held on to a catch off Ayabonga Khaka’s bowling to send the young opener back for 9 (from 7 balls).
But Suzie Bates and Melie Kerr fired the total to 43/1 after six overs.
Bates’ brilliant knock of 32 from 31 balls was ended by South Africa’s go-to wicket-taker, with Nonkululeko Mlaba at it again, cleaning up the veteran.
And Sophie Devine was trapped lbw by Nadine de Klerk – a decision that the Proteas opted to review, to great success.But with Kerr and the in-form Brooke Halliday out in the middle with the score at 79/3 with eight overs remaining, a competitive score remains very much in reach. (Agencies)
