Melie Kerr helps New Zealand realise T20 World Cup dream

A day to remember for New Zealand as the White Ferns delivered the country's maiden title in white-ball cricket, emerging victorious against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final on Sunday (October 20) in Dubai. Sophie Devine finally got the fairytale ending she had been looking for since 2009, and that too in her last game as the New Zealand captain. Meanwhile, the Proteas suffered yet another heartbreak after having fallen short in the previous edition's final as well. 

Having won the toss, Laura Wolvaardt sent the 2009 and 2010 runners-up out to bat. Both sides were unchanged after a successful outing in the semi-finals. New Zealand were off to a quick start, despite losing Georgia Plimmer in the second over. Veteran Bates and Melie Kerr helped keep the scoreboard ticking in the power play as the White Ferns scored 43 runs in the opening six overs.

In-form Nonkululeko Mlaba struck in the eighth over, removing Bates for 32 runs. Skipper Devine came in next, and soon followed Bates' way, thanks to Nadine de Klerk. New Zealand maintained their run rate during the middle overs despite losing both of their experienced batters. Kerr and Brooke Halliday made sure to put pressure on South African bowlers. The pair put together a 57-run stand before the left-hander got dismissed by Chloe Tryon for 38 runs. 

New Zealand accelerated further in the remaining two overs, with Kerr hitting two consecutive boundaries in the penultimate overs before her departure on 43 runs. Maddy Green, who was celebrating her 32nd birthday on Sunday, finished things off in style for the White Ferns, smashing a powerful six in the final over of the innings. The Proteas were handed the target of 159 runs.

South Africa were off to a flying start in the second innings. Wolvaardt, the tournament's highest run-getter, continued her fine form with the bat and hit a total of five boundaries in the power play. The skipper and Tazmin Brits scored 47 runs in the first six overs. New Zealand were in search of a breakthrough to interrupt the partnership. Fran Jonas delivered exactly what the White Ferns were looking for, getting the better of Brits in the seventh over. 

The run rate slowed down in the middle overs for the Proteas. Wolvaardt, who was well-set, eventually lost her wicket, courtesy of Kerr. The captain's dismissal was the moment everything started going wrong for South Africa. Anneke Bosch, who was the Player of the Match in the semi-final win over Australia, also got dismissed in the same over for just nine runs. 

Eden Carson got rid of the dangerous Marizanne Kapp, which was followed by the vice-captain de Klerk's dismissal in the next over. South Africa were in big trouble and the trophy was slowly edging towards New Zealand's way. The remainder of the batting order wasn't able to do much either. Sune Luus fell victim to Brooke Halliday for eight runs as the death overs approached.

With 59 runs required off the last four overs and just four wickets in hand, it was almost certain that the White Ferns would walk away with the title. Kerr got her third wicket of the game and 15th wicket of the tournament by sending Annerie Dercksen back to the dugout. Rosemary Mair finished things off in the penultimate over, getting the better of Tryon and Sinalo Jafta.

South Africa were restricted to a total of 126 runs, with New Zealand claiming a comprehensive 32-run win and lifting their maiden T20 World Cup title. Melie Kerr had the tournment she will never forget. She was the Player of the Match in the final, finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets to her name and was rightfully awarded the Player of the Tournament. 

Brief scores: New Zealand 158/5 in 20 overs (Melie Kerr 43, Brooke Halliday 38; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/31) beat South Africa 126/9 in 20 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 33, Tazmin Brits 17; Melie Kerr 3/24, Rosemary Mair 3/25) by 32 runs. POTM: Melie Kerr. POTT: Melie Kerr