It wasn’t to be. As fans at home hoped against hope for the best of news, it was instead New Zealand who rose to the occasion, claiming the ICC T20 World Cup title over an under-par South Africa performance at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, 20 October, 2024.
In a fitting closure for skipper Sophie Devine, the celebrated White Ferns skipper ends her professional career as captain celebrating the first-ever ICC T20 silverware won by New Zealand, a moment she will treasure for life.
After winning the toss for the fifth time in six matches and choosing to field first, as she did to oust world champs Australia, Wolvaardt’s bowlers struggled to contain the New Zealand batters, and despite regular wickets, the twin island nation side posted a daunting 158/6 in their 20 overs, Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday the mainstays of the innings with the tail adding a heap of runs in the last five overs.
The Proteas Women’s turn to bat, Laura Wolvaardt set off in familiar fashion, the key contributor in an inspiring 47/0 opening powerplay partnership with Tazmin Brits, a start that injected hope into all South Africans.
The momentum was however short-lived, with the abrupt succession of Brits, Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch losing their wickets in the space of four eventful overs, leaving SA 64/3 after 10 overs, needing a further 95 runs off 60 balls to win.
The last hopes for an unlikely SA win vanished when Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk lost their wickets either side of the 12-over mark, and all-rounders Suné Luus and Chloe Tryon couldn’t change the course of fate with only the SA bowlers to stand by them.
South Africa completed their 20 overs having made 126/9 to lose the final by 32 runs, with Rosemary Mair and Player of the Match and Player of the Series Amelia Kerr the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, grabbing three wickets apiece to ensure their fitting victory.
South Africa Results at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, from 3 – 20 October
Fri, 4 Oct: 1st T20I: South Africa beat West Indies by 10 wickets (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
Mon, 7 Oct: 2nd T20I: England beat South Africa by 7 wickets (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
Wed, 9 Oct: 3rd T20I: South Africa beat Scotland by 80 runs (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
Sat, 12 Oct: 4th T20I: Bangladesh lost to South Africa by 7 wickets (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
Thu, 17 Oct: South Africa beat Australia by 8 wickets (with 16 balls rem.) (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
Fri, 18 Oct: New Zealand beat West Indies by 8 runs (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
Sun, 20 Oct: Final – New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
The Proteas Women XI for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final against New Zealand in the UAE, on Sunday, 20 October, 2024
Laura Wolvaardt (c)
Tazmin Brits
Anneke Bosch
Marizanne Kapp
Chloe Tryon
Annerie Dercksen
Suné Luus
Nadine de Klerk
Sinalo Jafta (wk)
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Ayabonga Khaka
Main Photo Caption: 2024 ICC T20 World Cup champions New Zealand celebrate their 32-run victory over South Africa at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, 20 October, 2024. Photo: gsport
Photo 2 Caption: Amelia Kerr was named Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament. Photo: gsport
Photo 3 Caption: A crestfallen Proteas Women playing XI wait to receive their silver medals. Photo: gsport
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