New Zealand women beat South Africa by 32 runs to win their very first title in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Amelia Kerr and Rosemary Mair scored three wickets each to stop New Zealand at 126/9 in the second innings. The first innings saw New Zealand but up a score of 158/5.
South Africa won the toss and asked New Zealand to bat first, Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates gave team New Zealand a strong start but Georgia attempt at a six was caught by Sune Luus on a delivery by Marizanne. Suzie’s wicket followed soon being bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba. This was followed by skipper Sophie Devine losing her wicket next.
Bowlers from South Africa kept strong control and didn’t allow any boundaries between overs 5.4 and 13.5. Halliday and Amelia built a 57-run strong partnership until Amelia was caught by Anneke Bosch. Maddy Green’s scored a six bringing New Zealand’s score to 158 at the end of the first innings.
South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Tazmin Brits (17) were the two highest scorers for their side.
The powerplay saw SA score 47 runs but Tazmin lost her wicket to Fran Jonas in the next over.
After the wicket fell, New Zealand gained control again and exerted significant pressure on South Africa. The required run rate climbed up to nine runs per over. The South Africa skipper lost her wicket to catch by Suzie.
The New Zealand bowling caused a collapse after the skipper’s wicket fell. Amelia took Anneke Bosch’s wicket on the last ball of the same over where Wolvaardt lost her wicket with South Africa being 64/3 at the end of 10 overs.
Marizanne Kapp (8), Nadine de Klerk (6) and Sune Luus (8) quickly lost their wickets.
Amelia also took Annerie Dercksen’s wicket, making her the bowler with the most wickets in a single edition of the women’s T20 World Cup.
South Africa lost control of the match and could not regain it. It was Carson who sealed the victory for New Zealand.
