Women T20 World Cup 2024: In a monumental showdown of nerves, New Zealand Women’s cricket team clinched their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final held at Dubai International Stadium. This thrilling victory not only broke New Zealand’s long standing finals curse but also marked their first major global tournament win since the 2000 Women’s ODI World Cup.
Let’s have a look into more details into the Women T20 World Cup 2024 final
New Zealand Women’s Record Breaking Triumph
After finishing as runners up in the 2009 and 2010 editions, the White Ferns finally secured a long overdue title. Led by the brilliant all round performance of Amelia Kerr, who contributed both with the bat and ball, New Zealand surged past South Africa to end their own 14 year drought.
New Zealand’s innings began with a steady but crucial 158/5. Kerr top-scored with a composed 43 off 38 balls, with critical support from Suzie Bates (32 off 31) and Brooke Halliday (38 off 28), whose middle order blitz helped push the total to an above par score. Despite tight bowling spells from South Africa, particularly Nonkululeko Mlaba, who claimed two wickets, New Zealand’s batters held firm, accumulating crucial runs.
South Africa’s Faltering Chase
South Africa, in search of their own first ever T20 World Cup title, started strong with a solid 51 run opening partnership between captain Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Tazmin Brits (17). However, as pressure mounted, the Proteas crumbled in the face of New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. Kerr was once again the star, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs, while Rosemary Mair chipped in with another three wickets, leaving South Africa stranded at 126/9.
The defeat marked another heartbreaking end for the South African team, who were also runners up in the 2023 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Despite making it to the finals twice in consecutive years, they fell short once again, unable to overcome New Zealand’s superb bowling and fielding effort.
A Breakthrough for New Zealand
This victory is a watershed moment for New Zealand cricket, particularly for a women’s side that has battled through a decade of near misses and finals heartbreaks. The White Ferns’ resilience was on full display throughout the tournament, where they overcame a 10 match losing streak before entering the World Cup and came through tough matches to reach the final. Notably, New Zealand had only one loss in the league stage and delivered consistent performances right when it mattered the most.
This victory places them on the map as a powerhouse in women’s cricket, ending Australia’s long standing dominance in the T20 format. For South Africa, it’s another case of “so close yet so far,” with their team unable to handle the pressure in yet another crucial final.
A Momentous Win for Sophie Devine’s Squad
For New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, this victory is a testament to the hard work and belief her team has fostered over the years. “It’s surreal to finally get our hands on this trophy,” Devine said. “We’ve been knocking on the door for a long time, and today everything fell into place. Amelia [Kerr] and the entire team were outstanding.”
New Zealand’s well rounded performance, from Kerr’s heroics with both bat and ball to the consistent contributions of Bates, Halliday, and Mair, ensured a comprehensive win and the ultimate prize in T20 cricket.
This long-awaited World Cup title is sure to inspire a new generation of Kiwi cricketers and further elevate women’s cricket in New Zealand to greater heights. For South Africa, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but they will undoubtedly return stronger in future tournaments.
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