Snehasis Mukherjee in Dubai
After 23 exciting matches, the carnival of the 9th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has come to an end. New Zealand defeated South Africa by 32 runs to claim the title. The journey of the White Ferns from their initial struggles to this triumph has been a rollercoaster ride. Throughout the event, fans showed their unwavering support and witnessed some top performances, whether with the ball or the bat. Here are the top five talking points of the tournament:
New Zealand, the ‘Champions’
The White Ferns lifted their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup, but before this mega event, few gave them a chance. They were winless in 10 consecutive games and opened their campaign in Dubai against India. Playing with heart and determination, they won that match, which gave them the belief and momentum they desperately needed. Despite a heavy loss to Australia, they continued to perform and held their nerves when it mattered most.
Skipper Sophie Devine, in the post-match press conference after the final, said, “The win against India probably set the tone for us.” Another major positive for the team was the rise of young players like Georgia Plimmer, Brooke Halliday, and Eden Carson. These youngsters stepped up, proving that New Zealand Women’s cricket is in safe hands for the future.
Player of the tournament, Amelia Kerr
What a tournament Amelia Kerr had! With 15 wickets, the most by any player in a single edition in the history of this tournament, she was unstoppable. Kerr was also named Player of the Match in the final for her all-round performance—scoring 43 runs off 38 balls and taking three crucial wickets. She capped it off by winning the Player of the Tournament award with 135 runs and 15 wickets.
Throughout the tournament, Kerr stepped up as vice-captain, leading the team with confidence. In the post-match press conference, she expressed how special this World Cup win was, especially alongside her role models, Suzie Bates, and Sophie Devine. This final match marked the end of Devine’s tenure as the T20I skipper, with Amelia Kerr set to take over the captaincy as the team looks ahead to more future glories.
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New Zealand clinch their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final! @snehasis_95 and @Fancricket12 wrap up the tournament from Dubai International Stadium.@OfficialFanatic @T20WorldCup #T20WomensWorldCup #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/ld9wUvAuYL
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 21, 2024
Individual knocks and spells
South Africa’s skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, became the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 223 runs in six innings, averaging 44.60 with a strike rate of 113.19. However, despite her remarkable performance, she could not lead her team past the final hurdle. One of the standout individual knocks of the tournament came from Anneke Bosch, whose unbeaten 74 runs against Australia in the semi-final stole the spotlight. Meanwhile, Qiana Joseph’s counter-attacking 52 off 38 balls against England also surprised many.
On the bowling front, Amelia Kerr’s four-wicket haul against Australia in Sharjah and her three wickets in the final are undoubtedly key highlights of her performances in the tournament. Deandra Dottin’s four wickets in the semi-final against the White Ferns also made headlines. Another standout bowler was Eden Carson, whose three-wicket haul against the West Indies in the semi-final completely derailed their chase, putting her team in control.
South Africa’s back-to-back Heartbreaks, knocking out Australia
In the 2023 edition, it was Australia, and now, a year later, it is New Zealand that South Africa fell short against once again. In the semi-final, they knocked out the Australians, and it seemed that this would be their year. It must be incredibly hard for the players, staff, and fans to cope with such heartbreak in two consecutive years.
In the post-match press conference, skipper Laura Wolvaardt expressed that after their strong performance in the semi-final against Australia, everyone was disappointed with the loss in the final. She admitted that this might have been their worst performance in the tournament, and unfortunately, it came at the worst time—in the final. However, Wolvaardt also noted that finishing second and reaching back-to-back finals shows they are on the right path and doing something right.
Fans and some top matches
In terms of experience, the India vs. Australia game at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium stands out as a highlight. A nearly 15,000-strong crowd filled the venue, with chants of “India, India” echoing throughout. Bollywood songs played with every boundary and wicket, accompanied by dazzling laser shows during the innings breaks. In the final, it was equally thrilling to see more than 20,000 fans show up to support both South Africa and New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium.
Beyond these two matches, the semi-finals—Australia vs. South Africa in Dubai and West Indies vs. New Zealand in Sharjah—were nail-biting contests filled with drama and excitement. Fans were treated to thrilling moments and high-quality cricket. Despite the humidity and scorching heat, the large turnout is a promising sign for women’s cricket, demonstrating that the sport has come a long way!
Suzie Bates ‘Champion’ dance
It was around 00:05 am, 21st October and a red carpet awaited the ‘Champions’ New Zealand as they left the stadium, with their team bus parked in front of a small gate marked ‘Champions 2024 – UAE.’ A band welcomed them, playing drums and trumpets in celebration. Sophie Devine led the team, proudly holding the trophy while the band played joyous music.
However, it was veteran Suzie Bates who stole the spotlight with her exuberant celebration. She danced as if nobody was watching, perfectly embodying how a champion should celebrate. That moment was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the World Cup, and it could not have ended in a better way. Congratulations, New Zealand!
Also Read: Brooke Halliday: Unsung Star of New Zealand’s Knockouts in Women’s T20 World Cup triumph