New Zealand crowned Women’s T20 World champions

New Zealand Women clinched the title of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 champion defeating South Africa Women by 32 runs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The White Ferns joined Australia, England and West Indies amongst the winners. After losing the finals in 2009 and 2010, the White Ferns eventually got their hands on the coveted trophy.

Sophie Devine could not have expected a better finish to her stint as the captain of the New Zealand T20I team. As far as the Proteas are concerned, they have now lost three T20 World Cup finals in a row. After Sune Luus missed out last year, Aiden Markram could not have the last laugh back in June. Wolvaardt promised throughout, but her efforts just didn’t suffice.

New Zealand lost Georgia Plimmer early as Ayobonga Khaka gave South Africa the much-needed early breakthrough. But Suzie Bates, who went past Mithali Raj to become the most-capped player in women’s internationals, steadied the ship with a 32-run knock before Nonkululeko Mlaba accounted for her wicket. Skipper Devine, playing in her last match as the White Ferns’ T20I skipper, could only score six runs.

But it was the duo of Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday that helped New Zealand post a decent total of 158 for the loss of five wickets. Halliday looked aggressive as she made 38 runs off 28 balls, after which Chloe Tryon accounted for her wicket. The 24-year-old Kerr, on the other hand, played a handy 43-run knock with four fours.

Maddy Green threw her bat around for a six-ball 12, almost guiding her team past the 160-run mark. For the Proteas, Mlaba was the standout bowler for South Africa after she finished with figures of 4-0-31-2. Khaka, Tryon and Nadine de Klerk picked up one wicket apiece. Marizanne Kapp did not pick up a wicket, but kept the batters in check with an economy rate of 6.25.

South Africa had a mountain to climb as they had to record the highest successful run-chase in the history of Women’s T20 World Cup finals to get their hands on the trophy. But captain Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits looked in good shape, building a valuable partnership of 51 runs for the opening wicket off 6.5 overs. Brits got off to a start before Fran Jonas dismissed her.

But it was the 10th over that turned the match on its head. Amelia Kerr first got the wicket of Wolvaardt, who scored 33 off 27. Then he got the prized wicket of Anneke Bosch, who was fresh from notching her highest score in T20Is in the semis against Australia. From there on, the Proteas could never recover and regroup.

Kapp and Tryon fell cheaply as South Africa struggled their way to 126 for nine. Kerr finished with figures of 4-0-24-3. Rosemary Mair also took three wickets to jolt South Africa. Eden Carson, New Zealand’s star performer, pinned Kapp while Halliday dismissed former skipper Luus