In their second final in a row, South Africa chose to bowl first against New Zealand. Led by Sophie Devine, New Zealand stepped up and scored a solid 158 runs for 5 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
New Zealand had an amazing game in a tough final, beating South Africa by 32 runs to win their first Women’s T20 World Cup title on Sunday. It was a huge day for New Zealand cricket since the men’s team also got their first Test win in India in 36 years!
South Africa decided to bowl first in their second final in a row, putting New Zealand at bat. Led by Sophie Devine, New Zealand stepped up and scored a strong 158 runs for 5 wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Their solid performance highlighted their historic win and made sure their names go down in the ICC record books.
After winning the toss and deciding to bowl, South Africa started off well, but New Zealand managed to set a tough target of 158 runs for 5 wickets. Amelia Kerr shone with the bat, scoring 43 runs off 38 balls. Brooke Halliday added 38 runs, while opener Suzie Bates chipped in with 32 runs. On the South African side, Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2 wickets for 31 runs.
South Africa started strong, reaching 51 runs for 1 wicket in just over six overs. But things took a turn as they lost wickets regularly, finishing their innings at 126 runs for 9. Wolvaardt was the top scorer with 33 runs off 27 balls, but Amelia Kerr's outstanding bowling, where she took 3 wickets for 24 runs, was a game-changer.
Kerr was named both player of the match and player of the tournament, finishing with a record 15 wickets in six games. She said, “I’m a little bit speechless and so stoked to get the win, considering what this team has been through. It’s what dreams are made of,” reflecting on their incredible journey.
New Zealand showed amazing resilience after a 10-match losing streak before the tournament. They lost only once in the group stage and made it to the final for the first time in 14 years.
Their innings featured aggressive batting, especially during the power play, where they scored 43 runs despite losing an early wicket. Bates and Kerr formed a strong partnership, but South Africa’s bowlers, like Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk, took some key wickets.
As South Africa began their chase, Wolvaardt’s early aggression with five boundaries gave hope, but when she was out to Kerr, the batting order struggled. Regular wickets fell, with Rosemary Mair also shining by taking 3 wickets for 25 runs.
Captain Sophie Devine expressed pride in the team’s achievement, highlighting the hard work and determination they had shown over the past 18 months. “It is hard to put into words what it means to this group of players and for New Zealand cricket,” she said as the team celebrated their historic win.
Kerr wrapped up the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets and also won both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament awards.
Fourteen years ago, Kerr watched sadly on TV as New Zealand, featuring current captain Sophie Devine and opener Suzie Bates, lost the 2010 final to Australia by just three runs.
That moment sparked Kerr’s love for cricket and her desire to make things right.
“I was inspired to be a White Fern watching that 2010 World Cup with Sophie in it,” said Kerr, who made her international debut at just 16. “From then on, I was at the nets with my dad, pretending to bat with Sophie and Suzie.” She reflected on being so young and playing alongside her role models, two of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers. “I remember as a kid, I wrote in creative writing class about winning a World Cup with Sophie and Suzie.”
Kerr added, “I don’t think you necessarily deserve things in sport, but if anyone does, it’s Sophie and Suzie.” Devine, 35, and Bates, 37, are among the veteran players on the team, along with 34-year-old Lea Tahuhu.
“We joke about being grandmas and moms, but there’s a real sense of pride seeing them step up and take their chances. Melie (Kerr) was unbelievable today,” said skipper Devine.
“It’s great to win, and it’s something you want to achieve before you finish your career.”
Right after the victory, Devine embraced her fellow 'grandma' Bates, who has now played 334 white-ball internationals since her debut in 2006.
Amelia Kerr and the entire New Zealand women's cricket team celebrated their first T20 World Cup victory with a beautiful Māori song. The ICC shared a video of the 'pitch perfect' tribute, featuring player of the match Kerr playing the guitar.
New Zealand players celebrated their first T20 World Cup victory by singing a beautiful Māori song right after the award ceremony on Sunday, October 20. All-rounder Amelia Kerr took the lead on guitar, turning the celebration into a magical moment.
The International Cricket Council shared a video of the performance on Instagram, and by Monday morning, it had nearly 200,000 likes. Fans praised the New Zealand women's team in the comments for their 'pitch-perfect' singing and for using their voices to make the world a better place.
