Melie Kerr emerged as the star for New Zealand in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, scoring 43 runs and taking 3/23 to lead her team to a 32-run victory over South Africa. This win marked New Zealand’s first T20 World Cup title. After being asked to bat first, New Zealand started solidly with veteran opener Suzie Bates, who contributed 32 runs in her record-setting appearance as the most capped player in Women’s Internationals.
Despite losing wickets, New Zealand built a competitive total through Kerr’s anchoring role alongside Brooke Halliday, who scored 38. A late surge from Maddy Green, who hit 12 runs off just 6 balls, helped lift New Zealand’s score to 158/5, putting pressure on South Africa to chase down the target.
South Africa began their innings positively, with captain Laura Wolvaardt leading the charge as they reached 47/0 in the powerplay. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Kerr took two wickets in one over, dismissing Wolvaardt (33) and Anneke Bosch (9). This crucial breakthrough left South Africa struggling at 70/3 after 11 overs, with their hopes of clinching the title fading quickly.
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The Proteas faced further setbacks as wickets fell in quick succession. Marizanne Kapp (8) and Nadine de Klerk (6) both went down in consecutive deliveries, pushing South Africa further behind the required run rate. Rosemary Mair, with her impressive bowling figures of 3/25, ensured New Zealand remained in control, ultimately sealing the match as South Africa finished at 126/9.
New Zealand’s innings saw them start strong despite early losses, and their ability to capitalize in the middle overs proved crucial. Kerr’s performance was pivotal in both batting and bowling, as she helped her team maintain the pressure throughout. The White Ferns celebrated their historic win, solidifying their place in T20 cricket history.