The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 concluded with an exciting final between New Zealand Women and South Africa Women at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match saw some brilliant performances, with New Zealand securing a victory by 32 runs. Let’s dive into the highlights of the match, the standout performances, and the full scorecard.
Match Summary
New Zealand Women put up a competitive score of 158-5 in their 20 overs, led by strong contributions from Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, and Brooke Halliday. In response, South Africa Women managed 126-9, falling short by 32 runs despite notable efforts by Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon.
New Zealand Women Innings
New Zealand Women opted to bat first and put up a solid total of 158 runs. They started with good intent, with Suzie Bates scoring 32 runs and Brooke Halliday contributing with a quick-fire 38. The South African bowlers did well to restrict New Zealand, but the Kiwi batters kept up a consistent flow of runs.
Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suzie Bates | 32 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 103.23 |
Georgia Plimmer | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 128.57 |
Amelia Kerr | 43 | 38 | 4 | 0 | 113.16 |
Sophie Devine (c) | 6 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
Brooke Halliday | 38 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 135.71 |
Maddy Green | 12* | 6 | 0 | 1 | 200.00 |
Isabella Gaze (wk) | 3* | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marizanne Kapp | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 6.20 |
Ayabonga Khaka | 4 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 11.00 |
Chloe Tryon | 4 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 5.50 |
Nonkululeko Mlaba | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 7.80 |
Nadine de Klerk | 2 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 8.50 |
Sune Luus | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 8.50 |
South Africa Women Innings
Chasing a target of 159, South Africa Women struggled to get momentum against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack. Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 33 runs, but no other batter could stay at the crease long enough to make a significant impact. Amelia Kerr and Rosemary Mair were the standout bowlers for New Zealand, taking crucial wickets to stifle the chase.
Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laura Wolvaardt (c) | 33 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 122.22 |
Tazmin Brits | 17 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 94.44 |
Anneke Bosch | 9 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 69.23 |
Marizanne Kapp | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
Nadine de Klerk | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 85.71 |
Chloe Tryon | 14 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 87.50 |
Sune Luus | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 88.89 |
Annerie Dercksen | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 111.11 |
Sinalo Jafta (wk) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
Nonkululeko Mlaba | 4* | 5 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 |
Ayabonga Khaka | 4* | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rosemary Mair | 4 | 0 | 25 | 3 | 6.20 |
Eden Carson | 4 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 5.50 |
Fran Jonas | 4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7.00 |
Lea Tahuhu | 3 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 7.00 |
Amelia Kerr | 4 | 0 | 23 | 3 | 6.00 |
Brooke Halliday | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4.00 |
Key Moments and Highlights
- Brooke Halliday’s Quick Knock: Brooke Halliday played an impactful inning, scoring 38 runs off 28 balls, which helped New Zealand reach a competitive total.
- Amelia Kerr’s All-Round Performance: Kerr not only scored 43 runs but also took 3 wickets, making her the standout performer of the match.
- South Africa’s Struggle with Wickets: Despite a promising start by Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals, making it difficult to chase down the target.
- Rosemary Mair’s Crucial Bowling: Mair’s 3 wickets for 25 runs ensured that South Africa was restricted and couldn’t build any significant partnerships.
Match Analysis
The final match showcased the resilience and skill of the New Zealand Women’s team, who played as a cohesive unit. Their batting lineup, led by Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday, set a defendable target, which was well supported by their disciplined bowling attack. South Africa Women showed glimpses of strong batting, particularly with Laura Wolvaardt’s effort, but they could not sustain the momentum needed to reach the target.
Amelia Kerr’s all-round contribution was the highlight of the match, as she was instrumental in both batting and bowling. Her economical spell and timely wickets put pressure on South Africa’s batting lineup, eventually leading to their downfall.
Conclusion
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final was a thrilling encounter that showcased the talent and competitiveness of both teams. However, it was New Zealand who came out on top, winning by 32 runs and lifting the coveted trophy. Their all-round performance, led by key players like Amelia Kerr and Rosemary Mair, proved too strong for the South African team.
This victory marks an important milestone for New Zealand Women’s cricket, reflecting their dedication, teamwork, and determination. South Africa Women, despite the loss, showed promise and will undoubtedly come back stronger in future tournaments.