In a stunning display of resilience and teamwork, New Zealand claimed their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, overcoming South Africa by 32 runs in a thrilling final.
For Amelia Kerr, the victory was especially sweet as she delivered a remarkable all-round performance, earning the title of player of the tournament.
New Zealand set a challenging target of 159 runs, finishing their innings at 158/5.
Kerr shone with the bat, scoring 43 runs off 38 balls, while Brooke Halliday provided crucial support with 38 off 28. Halliday’s aggressive batting broke a frustrating 48-ball boundary drought, reigniting the team’s momentum at a critical moment.
South Africa, known for their formidable chasing, started confidently but quickly found themselves in trouble when Kerr took the vital wicket of Laura Wolvaardt.
From there, New Zealand’s bowlers, including Kerr with figures of 3/24 and Rosemary Mair at 3/25, dominated the game. South Africa ultimately fell short, finishing at 126 runs.
The win was particularly poignant for veterans Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, both of whom played in the heartbreaking 2010 final.
Bates, who set a record for the most caps by a female international cricketer with her 334th match, joined Devine in celebrating a long-awaited triumph.
Reflecting on Kerr’s performance, Devine praised her as a “once-in-a-generation player.” “She is not only a fantastic cricketer but also a wonderful person,” Devine said, beaming with pride.
New Zealand’s journey to the final was remarkable.
After suffering ten consecutive T20I losses leading into the tournament, the team came together with renewed spirit, showcasing their resilience and strong bonds throughout the competition.
As the team reveled in their historic win, Kerr expressed the joy of the moment, saying, “This is what dreams are made of.”
New Zealand has now firmly etched their name in women’s cricket history, becoming only the fourth team to lift the T20 World Cup trophy, a dream come true for players and fans alike.
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