Amelia Kerr delivered a stunning all-round performance to help New Zealand secure their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 32 runs in a dramatic final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Kerr top-scored for the White Ferns with a crucial 43 runs, followed by an impressive bowling spell of 3/24, to seal a historic win for her team.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 158/5 (Amelia Kerr 43, Brooke Halliday 38, Suzie Bates 32; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/31)
South Africa: 126/9 (Laura Wolvaardt 33, Tazmin Brits 17, Chloe Tryon 14; Amelia Kerr 3/24)
After winning the toss, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt opted to field first. New Zealand capitalized on the opportunity to set a competitive target, posting 158/5 in their allotted 20 overs. The Kiwis got off to a steady start, led by veteran opener Suzie Bates, who scored 32 runs and became the most capped player in the history of Women’s Internationals with her appearance in the final.
Kerr Anchors New Zealand’s Innings
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, New Zealand’s middle order held firm, with Kerr anchoring the innings and Brooke Halliday contributing a valuable 38 off 28 balls. The duo’s 57-run partnership kept the scoreboard ticking and positioned New Zealand for a strong finish.
A late cameo from Maddy Green (12* off 6) pushed the total to 158/5, with the Kiwis scoring 48 runs in the last five overs. Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout bowler for South Africa, claiming 2/31, including the crucial wicket of Kerr, who fell just short of a half-century.
South Africa’s Chase Falls Short
Chasing 159 for victory, South Africa started positively, with Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Tazmin Brits (17) laying a solid foundation. However, Kerr turned the game on its head with a double-wicket over that saw the dismissal of Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch (9), leaving the Proteas struggling to keep up with the required run rate.
Rosemary Mair supported Kerr’s efforts with figures of 3/25, as South Africa’s middle order crumbled under pressure. The wickets continued to tumble, and despite a brief fightback from Chloe Tryon (14), the Proteas could only muster 126/9 by the end of their innings.
The win marked a significant milestone for New Zealand, who had never previously won the Women’s T20 World Cup. The triumph was especially sweet, given that the White Ferns had narrowly missed out on the title in earlier editions.
The victory not only secured the Kiwis’ first T20 World Cup but also highlighted Amelia Kerr’s all-round brilliance, as she played a pivotal role in both batting and bowling to lead her team to glory.
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