SA VS NZ: NZ ICC Women T20 World Cup Win By 32 Runs Against SA
NZ ICC Women T20 World Cup Win By 32 Runs Against SA. In a thrilling finale at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, New Zealand Women’s team triumphed over South Africa by 32 runs to claim the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title. The high-stakes match saw both teams give their all, but it was New Zealand’s collective brilliance that saw them crowned as champions.
Match Overview
The final, played on October 20, 2024, was held under the lights of the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with 25,000 spectators eagerly watching the action unfold. South Africa Women won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to restrict New Zealand to a chaseable total.
However, New Zealand’s strong batting lineup, spearheaded by key performances from Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday, set a challenging target of 159 for the Proteas.
New Zealand Innings
New Zealand’s innings started with a measured approach. Suzie Bates (32 off 31 balls) and Georgia Plimmer gave the Kiwis a solid start. Plimmer fell early, but Bates steadied the innings alongside the outstanding Amelia Kerr, who anchored the innings with 43 runs from 38 deliveries. Kerr’s calm and collected performance was pivotal as she manipulated the South African bowlers with precision.
The middle overs belonged to Kerr and Brooke Halliday (38 off 28 balls), whose crucial partnership of 57 runs helped push New Zealand toward a competitive total. Halliday’s aggressive intent added valuable runs at the death, propelling New Zealand to 158/5 at the close of their innings. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba, struggled to contain the Kiwis, with Khaka finishing with 1/44 and Mlaba picking up 2/31.
South Africa Response
Chasing 159, South Africa’s innings began with hope as captain Laura Wolvaardt (33 off 27 balls) and Tazmin Brits (17 off 18) aimed to lead from the front. Wolvaardt, a beacon of consistency throughout the tournament, continued her fine form, but New Zealand’s bowlers were relentless.
The Kiwis struck at crucial moments, with Amelia Kerr and Rosemary Mair dismantling the South African middle order. Mair’s disciplined bowling (3/25) was instrumental in stifling the chase, while Eden Carson also contributed with 1/22. South Africa’s middle overs were marked by a lack of momentum, as the likes of Chloe Tryon and Marizanne Kapp struggled to build meaningful partnerships.
With wickets falling regularly and the required run rate climbing, South Africa was left needing a miracle. Despite a late surge from Sinalo Jafta and Nonkululeko Mlaba, the Proteas could only muster 126/9 in their 20 overs, falling short of the target by 32 runs.
Key Performers
The standout performance came from Amelia Kerr, who not only top-scored for New Zealand but also picked up two crucial wickets, earning her the Player of the Tournament award. Her all-around excellence was crucial in New Zealand’s World Cup-winning campaign. Brooke Halliday’s crucial knocks in both the semi-final and final solidified her place as a rising star for New Zealand.
From South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt continued her streak of fine form but lacked the support needed to chase down the target. Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled valiantly, but New Zealand’s depth and experience proved too strong on the day.
Post-Match Reactions
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine expressed her delight at finally securing the World Cup title. “It’s hard to put into words what this means for New Zealand Cricket,” Devine said. “It’s been a long road, and the last 18 months have been about building towards this moment. We knew we had the capability, and today we showed it.”
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt graciously accepted the defeat, acknowledging New Zealand’s strong performance. “We didn’t play our best cricket tonight. Credit to New Zealand—they came hard at us and took their opportunities,” Wolvaardt said.
Conclusion
New Zealand’s triumph in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is a testament to their resilience and team spirit. After enduring a string of losses in the lead-up to the tournament, the White Ferns turned things around at the right time. For South Africa, it’s another World Cup heartbreak, but with a talented squad, their time at the pinnacle of world cricket could still come.