South Africa vs New Zealand Highlights, Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final: New Zealand Clinch First Title with Amelia Kerr’s All-Round Brilliance
New Zealand claimed their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup title with a dominating 32-run victory over South Africa in the final, held in Dubai on Sunday. The standout player was Amelia Kerr, whose all-round performance helped guide New Zealand to a historic win, marking the end of a long wait for the White Ferns after previous heartbreaks in the finals.
Kerr’s Impact in the Final
Amelia Kerr was named Player of the Match for her incredible contribution both with the bat and ball. She top-scored for New Zealand with 43 runs, steering her team to a strong total of 158-5 in their 20 overs. Kerr’s ability to steady the innings during crucial moments played a key role in ensuring New Zealand posted a competitive score. Her runs came at a time when the team needed stability, and her aggressive strokes toward the end helped push the total beyond South Africa’s reach.
But Kerr’s brilliance did not stop with her batting. She later returned with the ball, delivering a match-winning bowling spell. She took 3 wickets for 24 runs in her four overs, and her breakthroughs were vital in derailing South Africa’s chase. The most crucial dismissals were of Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch, two of South Africa’s key batters, which all but sealed the game for New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Solid Batting Performance
New Zealand’s batting lineup performed well under the pressure of a final. Alongside Kerr’s 43, captain Sophie Devine chipped in with a steady 34, while Suzie Bates and Maddy Green provided valuable contributions with 27 and 22 runs, respectively. Their partnerships built a strong platform, and late hitting from Kerr and Green allowed New Zealand to post a target of 158, which was always going to be challenging in a World Cup final.
South Africa’s bowlers tried their best, with Shabnim Ismail taking 2-26 and Ayabonga Khaka chipping in with 2 wickets. However, the pressure from New Zealand’s batters never allowed them to take full control of the game.
South Africa’s Struggles in the Chase
Chasing 159 to win, South Africa never really got into a comfortable rhythm. Laura Wolvaardt, their star from previous matches, was dismissed for just 24, and her wicket shifted the momentum heavily in New Zealand’s favor. Anneke Bosch also fell cheaply, and the required run rate kept climbing as South Africa struggled to form partnerships.
Skipper Sune Luus tried to anchor the innings with a fighting knock of 38, but it was not enough to keep South Africa in the game. Wickets fell regularly, and no batter was able to counter Kerr’s spin or the disciplined bowling from New Zealand’s other bowlers. Jess Kerr, Amelia’s sister, also contributed with two wickets, and South Africa eventually finished on 126-9 in their 20 overs.
A Historic Victory for New Zealand
For New Zealand, this win was a sweet redemption after coming close in previous T20 World Cups. In 2010, they lost a nail-biting final to Australia by just three runs, and a year before that, they were beaten by England in the 2009 final. This victory ended a 14-year wait for their first Women’s T20 World Cup title and marked a perfect farewell for their long-time captain Sophie Devine, who announced before the tournament that this would be her last World Cup.
Heartbreak for South Africa
For South Africa, the loss was another bitter pill to swallow. This marked their second consecutive defeat in a Women’s T20 World Cup final, having lost to Australia in 2023 in Cape Town. Despite reaching two finals in a row, they were unable to go all the way and will look to build on their strong performances in future tournaments.
Conclusion
New Zealand’s triumph in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup final will be remembered as a historic moment in the sport. Amelia Kerr’s all-round performance was central to the victory, as New Zealand finally lifted the trophy after years of near-misses. South Africa, despite their loss, showed their quality by making it to two consecutive finals, but it was New Zealand’s day, with the White Ferns celebrating their well-deserved first title.