Dubai, October 20, 2024 – New Zealand Women have claimed their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa Women by 32 runs in an exhilarating final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Kiwis, led by captain Sophie Devine, delivered a stellar all-round performance, overcoming South Africa’s challenge to lift the coveted trophy.
A Historic Journey to Glory
New Zealand’s road to the final was filled with impressive performances and determined efforts. From their dominant group-stage victories to their nerve-wracking semi-final win, the team showcased resilience and skill throughout the tournament.
In their opening match, New Zealand Women defeated India by 58 runs. Sophie Devine’s explosive 57* set the tone for the team’s World Cup campaign, supported by a disciplined bowling display that restricted India to just 102 in their chase of 160.
Australia, a strong contender, posed a challenge in New Zealand’s second group-stage game, but the Kiwis stumbled, losing by 60 runs. Despite this setback, they bounced back with a commanding 8-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, propelled by Georgia Plimmer’s 53 and Amelia Kerr’s all-round brilliance.
New Zealand’s march to the final continued with a comprehensive 54-run win against Pakistan. Defending a modest total of 110, New Zealand’s bowlers wreaked havoc, bowling out Pakistan for just 56. Amelia Kerr once again starred with 3 wickets, backed by Eden Carson’s key dismissals.
The semi-final against West Indies proved to be a nail-biter. New Zealand managed to post 128, thanks to valuable contributions from Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday. Despite Deandra Dottin’s efforts with the bat, New Zealand’s bowlers held their nerve, securing a narrow 8-run victory to advance to the final.
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The Grand Finale: A Battle for Glory
In the final, South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first. New Zealand’s batting was anchored by Amelia Kerr’s superb 43 off 38 balls and Brooke Halliday’s aggressive 38 off 28. Suzie Bates also contributed with a steady 32. Their efforts helped New Zealand post a competitive 158 for 5 in 20 overs.
South Africa’s chase began with promise as captain Laura Wolvaardt led the way with a brisk 33 off 27 balls. However, New Zealand’s bowlers struck at key moments, with Amelia Kerr once again leading the charge, taking 3 for 24. Rosemary Mair’s crucial 3-wicket haul dismantled South Africa’s middle order, and despite some resistance from Chloe Tryon, South Africa could only manage 126 for 9 in their 20 overs.
New Zealand’s victory by 32 runs sealed their place in history as the 2024 T20 World Cup champions. It was a momentous achievement for the team, marking their first-ever triumph in the tournament’s history.
Final Match: New Zealand vs South Africa
New Zealand Innings
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzie Bates | 32 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 103.23 |
| Georgia Plimmer | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 128.57 |
| Amelia Kerr | 43 | 38 | 3 | 0 | 113.16 |
| Sophie Devine (c) | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Brooke Halliday | 38 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 135.71 |
| Maddy Green | 12* | 6 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Isabella Gaze (wk) | 3* | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 15 (b 0, lb 2, w 10, nb 3) | ||||
| Total | 158-5 (20 Ov) | ||||
South Africa Innings
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt (c) | 33 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 122.22 |
| Tazmin Brits | 17 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 94.44 |
| Anneke Bosch | 9 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 69.23 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Chloe Tryon | 14 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 87.50 |
| Sune Luus | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 88.89 |
| Annerie Dercksen | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 111.11 |
| Sinalo Jafta (wk) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
| Nonkululeko Mlaba | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Ayabonga Khaka | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 7 (b 2, lb 0, w 5, nb 0) | ||||
| Total | 126-9 (20 Ov) | ||||
Key Players and Memorable Performances
Amelia Kerr was undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s standout performers throughout the tournament, delivering with both bat and ball in critical moments. Her match-winning all-round display in the final was the highlight of an exceptional tournament.
Brooke Halliday also shone with key contributions, particularly her powerful innings in the final, which helped New Zealand set a defendable total. Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer were consistent performers at the top of the order, laying the foundation for New Zealand’s successes with their batting.
On the bowling front, Rosemary Mair and Eden Carson played pivotal roles, taking crucial wickets in the knockout stages to keep opponents under pressure.
A New Era for New Zealand Women’s Cricket
This historic win not only marked New Zealand Women’s first T20 World Cup title but also signified a new era of dominance for the team on the global stage. Their triumph is a testament to their determination, teamwork, and skill, with captain Sophie Devine leading the side to glory.
For South Africa, the loss in the final will be a tough pill to swallow, but their journey to the final showcased their strength as one of the top teams in women’s cricket. Led by captain Laura Wolvaardt, they will look to build on this experience and come back stronger in future tournaments.
Conclusion
As the dust settles on the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, New Zealand’s name will be etched in the history books as the latest champions. Their well-rounded performances, spearheaded by the likes of Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday, propelled them to an unforgettable victory. It’s a moment of celebration for New Zealand cricket and a milestone that will inspire future generations of cricketers.
