DUBAI: New Zealand Women secured their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title on Sunday with a commanding 32-run victory over South Africa in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
A stellar all-round performance by Amelia Kerr, who top-scored with 43 runs and took 3 wickets for 24 runs, led the White Ferns to a historic triumph.
Kerr, named Player of the Match, was instrumental in New Zealand’s historic win, top-scoring with 43 runs and taking 3-24, including the crucial wickets of South African captain Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch. Her efforts helped restrict South Africa to 126-9, as they failed to chase down New Zealand’s imposing 158-5.
The victory marked a fitting end to New Zealand captain Sophie Devine’s illustrious career, coming 14 years after the White Ferns narrowly lost to Australia in the 2010 final. New Zealand had also been runners-up in the inaugural 2009 championship, making this long-awaited triumph especially sweet.
For South Africa, it was another heartbreaking final defeat, following last year’s loss to Australia in Cape Town.
After being asked to bat first, New Zealand’s openers started aggressively, with Georgia Plimmer hitting two boundaries in the opening over from Marizanne Kapp.
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Plimmer was dismissed early for nine, but veteran Suzie Bates, in her 334th international match, kept New Zealand’s innings on track with 32 from 31 balls before being bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba.
When Devine fell leg before wicket to Nadine de Klerk, the innings looked precarious, but Kerr and Brooke Halliday rescued New Zealand with a vital 57-run partnership.
Halliday contributed a brisk 38, while Kerr’s 43 off 38 balls, including back-to-back boundaries, ensured New Zealand posted a challenging total of 158-5. Maddy Green provided the finishing touch with 12 runs off six balls, including the only six of the innings.
In response, South Africa began strongly, with Wolvaardt (33) and Tazmin Brits (17) putting on 50 runs in just seven overs.
However, Kerr’s bowling turned the tide, as she removed Wolvaardt and Bosch in quick succession, leaving South Africa at 64-3. With the pressure mounting, South Africa’s middle and lower order crumbled under the rising required run rate, struggling to find any momentum as wickets fell regularly.
Kerr’s excellent spell was supported by Fran Jonas and Suzie Bates, who took three key catches. Kerr capped off a remarkable tournament, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets, and her all-round performance in the final sealed New Zealand’s triumph.
South Africa’s last pair held on for the final over, but it was too late to prevent New Zealand from celebrating their long-awaited first Women’s T20 World Cup title.
This victory marks a remarkable turnaround for New Zealand, who entered the tournament on the back of 10 consecutive losses. With a formidable bowling unit and improved batting, they capped their campaign with a historic win. South Africa, in their second consecutive T20 World Cup final, once again fell short, unable to withstand the pressure of the grand stage.
