NZ ICC Women T20 World Cup Win By 32 Runs Against SA. In an exhilarating showdown at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final, New Zealand Women emerged victorious, defeating South Africa Women by 32 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match was filled with breathtaking moments, expert plays, and pivotal performances, as New Zealand clinched the coveted title. This victory is particularly significant for New Zealand, coming after a series of challenging matches leading up to the final.
First Innings: New Zealand Strong Start
Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first, with their opener Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer setting the stage for a competitive total. The duo got off to a steady start, with Suzie Bates showing her experience and class, while Plimmer contributed with some aggressive strokes early in the powerplay.
However, South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka soon struck to dismiss Plimmer, who attempted a risky shot only to be caught by Sune Luus. Khaka, one of South Africa’s premier fast bowlers, bowled with pace and accuracy, ending her spell with 1 wicket for 44 runs. Despite the early setback, Bates held her ground, scoring a well-earned 32 off 31 balls.
At the other end, New Zealand’s key all-rounder, Amelia Kerr, played a pivotal role. Kerr’s ability to read the game and adjust to the conditions was evident, as she compiled a crucial 43 off 38 balls, anchoring the innings. Kerr shared a 57-run partnership with Brooke Halliday, who smashed 38 off 28 balls in a much-needed aggressive display that helped push New Zealand’s score to 158/5.
The South African bowlers tried to contain the flow of runs, but it was Nonkululeko Mlaba who stood out with her effective left-arm orthodox bowling, grabbing 2 wickets for 31 runs. Her key dismissal of Kerr before she could reach her half-century was crucial in limiting New Zealand’s total, while Chloe Tryon supported with 1 wicket for 22 runs in her four overs.
The last five overs proved vital for New Zealand, as they accelerated, scoring 48 runs to finish their innings at 158/5. The power-hitting of Maddy Green in the death overs, which included a six and quick running between the wickets, ensured a competitive total.
First Innings Summary (NZ Women)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzie Bates | 32 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 103.22 |
| Georgia Plimmer | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 128.57 |
| Amelia Kerr | 43 | 38 | 4 | 0 | 113.15 |
| Brooke Halliday | 38 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 135.71 |
| Maddy Green (Not Out) | 12 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Isabella Gaze (Not Out) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
Total: 158/5 (20 overs)
Bowling (South Africa):
- Nonkululeko Mlaba: 4-0-31-2
- Ayabonga Khaka: 4-0-44-1
- Chloe Tryon: 4-0-22-1
- Marizanne Kapp: 4-0-25-0
Second Innings: South Africa Chase
Chasing a target of 159 to win, South Africa’s opening pair, Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt, walked to the crease with hopes of getting off to a strong start. Wolvaardt, South Africa’s in-form batter, showcased her class early in the innings, hitting five boundaries on her way to a quickfire 33 off 27 balls.
Brits, on the other hand, played a more reserved innings, contributing 17 off 18 balls, but South Africa struggled to maintain a steady run rate after the powerplay. New Zealand’s spinners, particularly Amelia Kerr, were relentless in their accuracy. Kerr, continuing her all-round brilliance, picked up 3 wickets for just 24 runs in her four overs, dismissing both Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch, who had been crucial for South Africa in the tournament.
South Africa’s middle-order failed to capitalize on the start, and wickets began to tumble at regular intervals. Chloe Tryon tried to anchor the innings, but her efforts were in vain, as she was dismissed for 14 off 16 balls, leaving South Africa reeling.
Nonkululeko Mlaba and Ayabonga Khaka were left with an almost impossible task in the final overs, needing 38 runs off the last six balls. Rosemary Mair and Eden Carson bowled brilliantly at the death, with Mair picking up crucial wickets and finishing with 3 wickets for 25 runs.
South Africa eventually finished their innings at 126/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 32 runs. The New Zealand bowlers were clinical in their execution, with Mair, Carson, and Kerr being the standout performers.
Second Innings Summary (SA Women)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt | 33 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 122.22 |
| Tazmin Brits | 17 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 94.44 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Chloe Tryon | 14 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 87.50 |
| Nonkululeko Mlaba | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Ayabonga Khaka | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
Total: 126/9 (20 overs)
Bowling (New Zealand):
- Amelia Kerr: 4-0-24-3
- Rosemary Mair: 4-0-25-3
- Eden Carson: 4-0-22-1
- Fran Jonas: 4-0-28-1
Key Performances
- Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): Kerr was the standout player of the match, contributing with both bat and ball. Her all-round performance of 43 runs and 3 wickets was instrumental in New Zealand’s win.
- Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa): Mlaba was South Africa’s best bowler, with her controlled left-arm spin yielding 2 wickets for 31 runs, providing much-needed breakthroughs.
- Rosemary Mair (New Zealand): Mair’s impressive death bowling proved decisive, as she picked up 3 key wickets, choking South Africa’s chase and ensuring victory for the White Ferns.
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): Despite the loss, Wolvaardt’s 33 runs off 27 balls at the top gave South Africa hope early in the innings.
Match Turning Point
The turning point of the match came during New Zealand’s bowling innings when Amelia Kerr dismissed the dangerous Laura Wolvaardt. Kerr’s breakthrough not only ended South Africa’s momentum but also triggered a middle-order collapse. Her ability to bowl through the middle overs with precision was crucial in tightening the screws on South Africa, leaving them too much to do in the final overs.
Expert Commentary
- Former South African Cricketer: “This was a tough loss for South Africa. They played well throughout the tournament, but today was not their best performance. New Zealand were simply better in executing their plans, especially with their spinners. The early wickets and middle-overs pressure cost us dearly.”
- Cricket Analyst: “New Zealand’s win is a testament to their resilience. After a poor run coming into the World Cup, to turn it around and win the final is remarkable. Their bowlers, particularly Kerr and Mair, showed incredible discipline.”
Conclusion
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final will be remembered for New Zealand’s exceptional all-round performance, with key players stepping up at critical moments. Amelia Kerr deservedly won the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament awards for her outstanding contribution throughout the tournament.
