2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: New Zealand beats South Africa for maiden title

New Zealand became only the fourth nation to win the Women’s T20 World Cup beating South Africa by 32 runs in Dubai on Sunday (20 October).

The Kiwis cricket team made it to their first World Cup final since 2010, while South Africa made it their second in a row after bowing the knee to six-time champions Australia at last year’s showpiece. Sunday’s final saw South Africa and New Zealand meet each other for the first time in the Women’s T20 World Cup for their own piece of history.

New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr was in fine fettle contributing with both bat and ball, first with a knock of 43 runs off 38 balls before she took three wickets from 24 deliveries.

The New Zealanders, who lost the toss and were sent in to bat first, posted an imposing total of 159 runs for South Africa to chase.

South Africa’s Proteas team showed some nerves in the field and with the ball in hand but did enough to keep the pressure on the Kiwi batters. Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout player for South Africa with the ball taking two for 31.

Opener Suzie Bates, who became the most-capped women's international, anchored New Zealand’s innings before she was bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba for 32 off 31 deliveries.

South Africa found an early breakthrough in the second over with Georgia Plimmer caught deep on the boundary by Sune Luus off the bowling of Ayabonga Khaka.

Momentum swung in South Africa’s favour when captain Sophie Devine was caught leg-before wicket by Nadine de Klerk with New Zealand on 70 for three.

But the 57-run stand between Kerr (43) and Brooke Halliday (38) ultimately took the sting out of South Africa’s attack with the Kiwis cruising to a stunning 156 for five.

South Africa made a superb start in their response with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits combining for a solid 51-run partnership. Brits were the first casualty as she struck a Fran Jonas ball over long-on where she found the safe hands of Maddy Green.

Kerr, struggling with cramps, was in superb form with the ball as she frustrated South Africa’s run chase. With the required run rate ticking up, Wolvaardt looked to reignite their innings but instead found Bates to departure on 33 off 27 balls.

The end of the Proteas’ talismanic captain was further compounded when Kerr struck again five balls later with South Africa limping along on 63 for three after 10 overs.

South Africa suffered a severe batting collapse with the Kiwis taking the wickets of Marizanne Kapp and De Klerk in quick succession (77-5).

The Proteas put up a valiant fight to keep their title hopes alive but the Kiwis ultimately bowled the South Africans into submission ultimately reducing them to 126 for nine to claim a stunning victory.