New Zealand have defeated South Africa by 32 runs to win their first T20 World Cup, despite coming into the tournament on a 10-game losing streak.
The day didn’t get off to a winning start for the Kiwis, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first. An early wicket saw New Zealand 1/16, bringing Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates together in the middle.
Bates was solid for her 32 before being bowled, but it was Kerr who stole the show. She scored 43 and was part of a 57-run stand with Brooke Halliday, who added 38, helping New Zealand to 5/158 at the end of their 20 overs.
In response South Africa started strongly, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits cruising to a 50-run stand. Brits was removed on 17, but Wolvaardt’s 33 gave the Proteas a platform.
That was before Kerr and Rosemary Mair began their spells. Kerr started brilliantly, removing Wolvaardt with her first ball of the game and bowled consistently to pick up 3/24 off of her four overs.
Mair cleaned up the middle order and ended with figures of 3/25. The pair triggered a collapse which saw South Africa go from 1/51 to 6/97. The Proteas’ tail-end limped to 9/126.
For her stunning performance in the final, Kerr was named player of the match.
After the game, Bates, who is the most-capped women’s cricketer globally, couldn’t hold in the emotion.
“No-one expected us to get this far, so we allowed ourselves to play with freedom,” she said.
“I’m in shock, really.”
In the semi-finals, New Zealand defeated the West Indies by eight runs in a thriller and South Africa comfortably defeated Australia by eight wickets.
Photo: South Africa vs New Zealand in HDR by rushdi13 is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons License. This image has not been modified.
