New Zealand showcased a remarkable performance to secure their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final held in Dubai.
Melie Kerr Shines Bright
Melie Kerr emerged as the star of the match, scoring 43 runs and taking 3 wickets for 23 runs, helping to guide the White Ferns to their historic win.
After being put in to bat first, New Zealand got off to a solid start with veteran opener Suzie Bates, who made history by becoming the most capped player in Women’s Internationals with her appearance in the final, contributing 32 runs. Despite losing a few wickets, the Kiwis built momentum during the middle overs, with Kerr anchoring the innings alongside Brooke Halliday, who scored 38 runs.
A late flourish from Maddy Green boosted New Zealand’s total to 158 for 5, presenting South Africa with a challenging target.
South Africa’s Early Hopes Dashed
The Proteas began their innings with optimism, but a rapid loss of wickets turned the tide. A pivotal over from Kerr saw South Africa lose Laura Wolvaardt for 33 runs and Anneke Bosch for just 9, leaving them in a precarious position.
Despite a spirited start, South Africa struggled to keep up with the required run rate as wickets continued to tumble. Rosemary Mair was instrumental in dismantling their batting order, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 25. By the time Eden Carson delivered the final ball of the match, South Africa had mustered only 126 for 9, falling short by 32 runs.
First Innings Breakdown
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while both teams fielded unchanged line-ups. New Zealand’s captain, Sophie Devine, expressed satisfaction with the toss outcome, indicating she would have chosen to bat regardless.
The White Ferns capitalized on the powerplay, establishing a good foundation despite an early setback when Georgia Plimmer was dismissed for 9 runs by Ayabonga Khaka. After six overs, New Zealand had scored 43 for 1.
Bates, who scored 32 runs off 31 balls, was dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba, followed shortly by Sophie Devine, who was trapped lbw by Nadine de Klerk, prompting a successful review by the Proteas.
With Kerr and Halliday at the crease, New Zealand was positioned well at 79 for 3 with eight overs remaining. The duo formed a crucial partnership, adding 57 runs and executing excellent running between the wickets, with Halliday contributing a measured 38 runs off 28 balls.
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After Halliday was dismissed by Chloe Tryon, Kerr shifted gears, but her innings ended at 43 runs when she fell to Mlaba, who took the catch off Tazmin Brits. New Zealand finished their innings at 158 for 5, with a flurry of runs in the final overs, including a significant six from Khaka’s last over, ensuring they set a formidable target for South Africa.
Match Summery
New Zealand posted 159/5 in their 20 overs, with standout contributions from Amelia Kerr (43) and Brooke Halliday (38), while South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2 wickets for 31 runs. In response, South Africa struggled to chase down the target, managing 126/9 in their 20 overs. Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 33, but Amelia Kerr (3/24) and Rosemary Mair (3/25) led the bowling attack to secure a 32-run victory for New Zealand.
