Superb all-round performance from Amelia Kerr helped New Zealand win their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title. New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs. Amelia Kerr top-scored with 43 runs and took 3/23, playing a key role in securing the New Zealand’s historic victory.
New Zealand Wins World Cup: Preview
After being asked to bat first, New Zealand started well with veteran opener Suzie Bates scoring 32 runs, making her the most-capped player in Women’s Internationals. Despite losing wickets along the way, the Kiwis built a solid middle-order partnership. Amelia Kerr anchored the innings with her 43, while Brooke Halliday added a quick-fire 38. A late push from Maddy Green, who scored 12 off 6 balls, lifted New Zealand’s total to 158/5.
South Africa started their chase confidently, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits reaching 47/0 by the end of the powerplay. The game shifted when Brits was dismissed for 17. Kerr then struck twice in one over, removing Wolvaardt (33) and Anneke Bosch (9). With South Africa at 70/3 after 11 overs, the pressure mounted.
Amelia Kerr’s double blow was the turning point, and New Zealand’s bowlers capitalized on the momentum. Rosemary Mair was outstanding, taking 3/25, including the crucial wickets of Chloe Tryon (14) and Sinalo Jafta (6). South Africa struggled to keep up with the climbing run rate, and by the time Eden Carson bowled the final over, the result was already sealed as South Africa finished at 126/9.
New Zealand’s tricky start to the innings
Earlier, South Africa had won the toss and decided to bowl.The White Ferns started well, with Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr pushing the score to 43/1 in the first six overs. Georgia Plimmer was dismissed early for 9, but Bates steadied the innings before being bowled for 32 by Nonkululeko Mlaba. Sophie Devine, New Zealand’s captain, fell lbw to Nadine de Klerk after a successful review from South Africa.
Amelia Kerr-Holiday Crucial Partnership
Kerr and Halliday then put together a 57-run partnership, rotating the strike well and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Halliday hit just three boundaries in her 38 from 28 balls, but her aggressive running helped push the total higher. After Halliday was dismissed by Chloe Tryon, Kerr upped the tempo, hitting two consecutive fours off Mlaba, before being caught for 43.
New Zealand added 48 runs in the last five overs, thanks to a cameo from Green and some hard running by Isabella Gaze. The final over saw Green hit a big six, helping the White Ferns reach 158/5 – a total that proved too much for South Africa.
Amelia Kerr – The Player of the match and The Player of the tournament
Despite a promising start to their chase, South Africa’s middle order crumbled under pressure, and New Zealand’s bowlers ensured a comfortable victory in the end. Amelia Kerr awarded by Player of the match award for her brilliant all-round performance. She scored 43 with the bat and took 3 wickets for 23 runs. Amelia Kerr also been adjudged as the Player of the Tournament. She took 15 wickets in the tournament, the highest ever in the single edition of the tournament.
