Mark the Date – October 20, 2024 – A great day for New Zealand Cricket. Nearly 11 hours after their Men’s Team recorded their first Test win in India since 1988, New Zealand Women’s Team won the ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 Final against South Africa by 32 runs. Amella Kerr top scored for New Zealand with 43 and scalped three wickets in the second innings to seal the deal for the team. She received both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament awards. She took 15 wickets in the tournament.
ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 Final – SA Pick First 3 Wickets Inside 11 Overs
South Africa Women’s Team Captain Wolvaardt won the toss and elected to field first in the Final against New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Kiwi openers Bates and Plimmer hit a boundary each in the first over to set the stage on fire. However, Plimmer could not last long as her attempt to hoist Ayabonga Khaka over the fence turned unsuccessful. She was holed out at long on. Amella Kerr, who came in next, smashed a boundary on the first ball she faced. Bates, at the other end, looked calm and composed. However, Mlaba removed the dangerous-looking Bates for 32. New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine and Amella Kerr began to consolidate the innings with ones and twos. But the partnership did not last long as de Klerk trapped Devine leg before wicket. She scored just 6 off 10 balls.
57-run Stand Between Kerr, Halliday Put New Zealand Back on Track Against SA in ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 Final
Kerr and Halliday had the responsibility to steer New Zealand to a position of strength, and the duo did that to perfection. Halliday, in particular, showed the intent to score quickly by smashing boundaries in between. The pair notched up a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 16.2 overs of the innings. However, Chloe Tryon had Halliday caught by Bosch at deep backward square leg. She hit a quickfire 38 off 28 balls, smashing three boundaries. Amella Kerr then took the matter into her hands by smashing two boundaries in the next over before being holed out in the deep mid-wicket region. The final over saw Kiwis smashing 16 runs to reach 158 for 5 in the ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 Final. Amella Kerr top scored with 43 off 38 balls.
South Africa Start on a Good Note Against New Zealand in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final 2024
South African openers Wolvaardt and Tazmin started brilliantly by smashing New Zealand bowlers on a good batting surface. The pair scored 47 in the first powerplay, keeping South Africa up with the required run rate. But soon after the pair notched up a 50-run opening stand, Jonas got rid of Tazmin as she miscued a shot to Green at long-on. She scored 17 off 18 balls with one boundary to her credit. New Zealand soon removed Wolvaardt as she gave a simple catch to Bates at extra cover off Amella Kerr. On the last ball of that over, Amella removed Bosch by inducing the outside edge of the latter to wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze.
South Africa Continue to Slide as New Zealand Win the ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 Final
After that, South Africa could not recover as wickets fell like nine pins. South Africa lost two back-to-back wickets of Kapp and Klerk to give New Zealand a huge sniff. Just as South Africa were about to reach 100, New Zealand struck again. Halliday brought about the downfall of Luus who miscued a shot to Bates at extra cover. Amella Kerr again came with a wicket as she induced a false stroke from Annerie Dercksen and Bates took a good catch. The 19th over saw Mair dismissing Chloe Tryon and Sinalo Jafta for 14 and 6, respectively. New Zealand restricted South Africa to 126 for 9, winning the ICC Women’s T20 WC 2024 Final by 32 runs
