New Zealand’s stunning 32-run victory against South Africa in Dubai has earned them the Women’s T20 World Cup winners. Given that no one predicted this final, the win was entirely unexpected. It was a remarkable victory for New Zealand since they won consecutive games after losing their previous 10 in the format. New Zealand’s World Cup campaign began with a smashing victory against India in their opening match. It’s safe to say that they quickly upset one of the favorites to go to the knockout rounds. The Kiwis then kept their nerve in the semi-finals against a dangerous West Indies team in Dubai, which was dominant by eight runs to go to the final on Sunday, October 19.
New Zealand Made History
New Zealand entered the tournament ranked fourth in the world but was named in a hugely competitive Group A, which also included top-ranked Australia and third-ranked India. Initially, New Zealand lost one match in this tournament to Australia. But they bounced back to beat Pakistan and secure qualification to the semifinals, where they once again managed to cause an upset by defeating the 2016 T20 World Cup champions West Indies.
The triumph is just the second time New Zealand’s women have won a major ICC Women’s competition. On home soil, they also won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2000. The White Ferns were in their third final, but their first since 2010, and delivered an outstanding effort after being asked to bat first against the Proteas in Dubai. Melanie Kerr (43), Brooke Halliday (38), and Suzie Bates (32) helped them score 158/5 in the first innings. And three-wicket hauls from Kerr (3/24) and Rosemary Mair (3/25) guaranteed South Africa fell well short of their target. Ending 32 runs behind as the Kiwis celebrated on the Dubai ground.
White Ferns Beat South Africa
It is New Zealand’s first global title since 2000, following a poor run of play that includes a 5-0 T20 whitewash over England in July. However, everything came together on 19 October in Dubai for the Kiwi underdogs. Finally, the self-described New Zealand “grandmas” Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine had their due with their treats. In addition, Lea Tahuhu has been fighting for years with no help.
On the other hand, for the second year in a row, South Africa has lost the final. Two of the sport’s most experienced athletes, skipper Sophie Devine and New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, were driven to tears of delight. This is the first year since the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced equal prize money for its men’s and women’s championships. New Zealand will receive $2.34 million (£1.75 million), and South Africa will earn $1.7 million (£878,000).
Final Thoughts
After a stunning semifinal victory against Australia, the New Zealand team proceeded to the title match against South Africa. Amelia Kerr of New Zealand shone in the final, scoring 43 runs and taking three wickets to conclude the tournament with 15 scalps in six games. The Kiwis won by 32 runs, gaining their first ICC women’s title since the 2000 ODI World Cup.
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