New Zealand women's cricket T20 World Cup champions 2024

New Zealand got a maiden T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 32 runs after a mammoth effort from the all-rounder Melie Kerr, who was named player of the tournament. 

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After top-scoring with 43 from 38 balls, Kerr was delivered barely able to walk because of cramp welcomed on by the Dubai heat, yet nevertheless she snatched the wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch at the two finishes of the tenth over, turning the match on its head

It is New Zealand's first global ­trophy since 2000, and falls off the back of a miserable run of form which included a 5-0 T20 whitewash against England in July. However, on Sunday in Dubai everything some way or another clicked for the Kiwi longshots. 

Amelia Kerr led New Zealand to their first ever World

Here was vindication at last for the so called Kiwi "grandmas" - the 37-year-old Suzie Bates, the 35-year-old Sophie Devine, and the 34-year-old Lea Tahuhu - who have battled for years with barely a sniff of World Cup achievement (New Zealand last appeared in a World Cup final in 2010) and for whom this was possible a final chance at World Cup greatness.

Bates said: "This means everything to us. At the point when you play team sport you want to be a world champion. We've battled our way back to the top. There's been a few dark times when we were unable to get a win leading into this World Cup and we second guessed ourselves as leaders. In any case, Sophie's been outstanding leading this team."

Devine said: "I started to allow myself to dream a little bit last night about what it might be want to hold the prize up before that team. It's hard to put into words what it means for me as well as for a portion of the players within this gathering and for New Zealand cricket as well - it's been quite a while between drinks."

Kerr was the star, finishing with figures of three for 24, however this was a team effort: Brooke Halliday joined her in a 57-run fourth-wicket stand based on blood, tears yet mainly sweat, with a lot of hard running between the wickets. 

Amelia Kerr led New Zealand to their first ever World

Then, after South Africa raced to 58 for one after eight overs in pursuit of their 159-run target, Tahuhu heaped on the tension by sending down five back to back dab balls. A frustrated Wolvaardt attempted to hit out, just to be caught on the ring.

Five balls later Bosch - so dominant on Thursday in the semi-final against Australia - feather-edged to Izzy Gaze behind the stumps, and Devine appealed to DRS, overturning the original not-out choice.

Bates demonstrated, as ever, a safe pair of hands at cover, holding on to three catches, while there were also ­wickets for the youthful spinners Fran Jonas and Eden Carson, and three for the seamer Rosemary Mair, as South Africa's run-chase dwindled.

"Coming to a World Cup, ­everyone starts back at nothing and it's everyone's game," Devine said. "The important thing about this gathering is that it's not always the individual that takes the wickets or the catches - it's the teamwork, it's working hard for your mate out in the middle
Sent in to bat by South Africa, New Zealand came out all weapons ­blazing, ­reaching 50 for one in the opening seven overs before South Africa fixed them back.

Bates celebrated becoming the most-capped player in ladies' internationals (334 appearances) by scoring 32, enjoying easy pickings through the leg side, yet was bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba shuffling across her stumps to clear. Devine then added only six runs before a lucky DRS audit by South Africa showed Nadine de Klerk had struck her in line.

In any case, the Kerr-Halliday partnership allowed New Zealand to modify, as did some evil discipline by the South Africans, who sent down 10 wides and three no-balls. They did ­manage to see off Halliday and Kerr in succes­sive overs at the death, however were penalized for a delayed over rate which meant they were allowed just three defenders out during the twentieth over.

That enabled Maddy Green to send the penultimate ball of the innings sailing over the boundary rope for the first six of the innings: 16 runs came off the over, and the energy swung solidly back to New Zealand