New Zealand wins cricket’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 for 1st time with victory over South Africa
— New Zealand won the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time, beating South Africa by 32 runs on Sunday after a standout performance from Amelia Kerr with bat and ball.
South Africa’s chase was held to 126-9 in 20 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in reply to New Zealand’s 158-5 in the final of the 18-day Women's T20 tournament.
The White Ferns added to their one-day title at the 2000 Cricket World Cup and became the first New Zealand team to win a T20 World Cup, with the men’s team – the Black Caps – yet to achieve this feat.
2024 Women's T20 World Cup final scores, Dubai
New Zealand 158-5 (20 overs): Kerr 43 (38); Mlaba 2-31
South Africa 126-9 (20 overs): Wolvaardt 33 (27); Kerr 3-24, Mair 3-25
New Zealand won by 32 runs.
South Africa was also seeking to become a first-time T20 champion. It was a second successive heartbreak for South Africa, after Protease lost the 2023 final on home soil to six-time women's T20 world cup champions Australia.
After South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss on Sunday and opted to bowl, Kerr top scored for New Zealand with a 38-ball 43. Brooke Halliday hit 38 runs in 28 deliveries and opener Suzie Bates scored 32 in 31. Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2-31 in four overs for South Africa.
South Africa made a strong start to its chase, reaching 51-1 in 6.5 overs but never really threatened afterward, reaching the halfway stage of its innings at 64-3.
Wolvaardt top scored for South Africa with a 27-ball 33.
Kerr took 3-24 in her four overs, including Wolvaardt’s wicket.
New Zealand had previously finished runners-up, losing to England in 2009 and Australia in 2010.
The White Ferns were on a losing 10-match run prior to this World Cup, but showed a brilliant turn of form to reach the t20 world cup final for the first time in 14 years, with only one league stage loss through the tournament.
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