Inspired New Zealand beat South Africa to win Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Tuesday, 22 October 2024 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Melie Kerr was the hero for New Zealand, top-scoring with 43 before bagging 3/23, as the White Ferns beat South Africa by 32 runs to win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time in their history.

Having been asked to bat first, New Zealand got off to a decent start through veteran opener Suzie Bates (32), who became the most capped player in the history of Women’s Internationals with her appearance in the game.

And, despite wickets falling, the Kiwis built well through the middle overs, as Kerr (43) played an anchoring role alongside the explosive Brooke Halliday (38).

A late cameo from Maddy Green (12 from 6) lifted the total to 158/5, leaving South Africa with a stern test.

A fast start from South Africa’s openers gave the Proteas hope that it would be they who would win their first title, but a flurry of wickets saw the game slip away.

A dramatic double-wicket over from Kerr saw Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Anneke Bosch (9) depart in quick succession, leaving South Africa needing something special from their middle order.

But wickets kept on tumbling, with Rosemary Mair in the thick of the action with her 3/25, as the run rate went from high to unattainable.

And the result had long been determined before Eden Carson sent down the final ball of the tournament, as South Africa finished on 126/9, still 32 runs short.