Devine's New Zealand clinches first-ever Women's T20 World Cup Title with victory over South Africa

 


New Zealand has won the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, marking the first time the Kiwi team has claimed this prestigious title. This is New Zealand’s first T20 World Cup victory in cricket history. The country's men's team has yet to secure a T20 World Cup. In the final, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 32 runs. After winning the toss, South Africa opted to bowl. In major matches, teams usually choose to bat first, but South Africa's decision to bowl backfired. New Zealand posted a total of 158 runs, and in response, South Africa kept losing wickets and was only able to score 126 runs. This marks South Africa's second consecutive loss in a Women's T20 World Cup final. Earlier this year, in June, the South African men's team also lost in the final of the T20 World Cup.


Experienced player Amelia Kerr delivered an all-round performance in the final. Named ‘Player of the Match,’ Kerr top-scored with 43 runs and also took three wickets, solidifying New Zealand's dominance in the match. She built a crucial 57-run partnership with Brooke Halliday (38) off 44 balls for the fourth wicket, laying the foundation for a competitive score. Kerr's 38-ball knock included four boundaries, while Halliday's aggressive 28-ball innings featured three fours. Suzie Bates also contributed with a valuable 32 runs off 31 balls, hitting three boundaries.


New Zealand batters surprised  South Africa by going hard in the powerplay with both openers Bates & Plimmer (9) going for big hits . Plimmer got out cheaply but Amelia Kerr at 3 added solidity as the White Ferns scored 42/1 in the powerplay  . Skipper Sophie Devine (6) was out cheaply lbw to Nadine D Clerk . Then came the partnership between Kerr & Halliday that helped New Zealand  to go past 140 and Maddy Green (12*) hit a six in the final over to take New Zealand to a formidable 158 in 20 overs . 


While chasing the target, Laura Wolvaardt, who was in great form, hit four boundaries in the first four overs to maintain a good run rate for South Africa. Tazmin Brits added a boundary in the sixth over against Rosemary Mair, bringing the team's powerplay score to 47 without loss. However, New Zealand tightened their grip on the match after the powerplay. Fran Jonas broke the opening partnership of 51 runs by dismissing Brits, who scored 17 off 18 balls, in the seventh over.


Amelia Kerr, the tournament's highest wicket-taker, came on to bowl in the 10th over and dismissed Wolvaardt, the tournament's highest run-scorer. Kerr also claimed the wicket of semi final player of the match  Anneke Bosch (9 runs), who was caught behind by wicketkeeper Katey Martin. Losing two wickets in one over put South Africa on the back foot. While captain Laura Wolvaardt contributed 33 runs off 27 balls, she lacked support from the other batters in the team. Other top batters Kapp (8) , DeClerk (6) , Luus (8)  and Tryon (14) failed to keep pace with the required rate as South Africa kept losing wickets and could reach only 126 in 20 overs for an emphatic win for New Zealand .


It was a dream come true for the old and experienced players of New Zealand,  Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Tahuhu who has played for ages for New Zealand . They never played a World cup final since 2009 and now this will be a fitting end to their careers with a World cup trophy .


Amelia Kerr with 15 wickets was the highest wicket taker in this event while she also scored 135 in this competition.  Laura Wolvaardt with 223 runs was the highest run getter .


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