By Razeen Gutta
New Zealand were crowned ICC T20 Women’s World Cup champions on a hot and hurtful day for South Africa in Dubai.
“We’re going to win this thing now,” said 35-year-old Sophie Devine after the Kiwis defeated the West Indies — and win it they did.
On the slow Emirates wicket, the Proteas simply could not find it within themselves to chase down the mammoth 159-run target set by their opposition.
In the first innings, player of the tournament Amelia Kerr starred for the Kiwis, scoring 43 off 38 balls.
SA skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s 33 off 27 would not be enough as the wickets tumbled in the second half of the innings.
Kerr was the star this time, too, taking 3/24 while Rosemary Mair also picked up a three-for to restrict the Proteas to 126/9 in their 20 overs.
“I’m a little bit speechless and I’m stoked to get the win considering what this team’s been through. It’s what dreams are made of,” Kerr said post-match as her side celebrated their victory.
For South Africa, it would be heartbreak at the final hurdle in a final for the second time this year after the men’s team missed out against India.
Captain Wolvaardt reflected post-match; and said that her side were defeated by the better team on the day.
“We obviously had a really good semi-final, focus was to reset. Not get too ahead of ourselves. Knew we had a quality opponent in New Zealand to go up against. Didn’t play our best cricket tonight,” she said.
Pictured above: New Zealand
Source: @t20worldcup
