The ICC WT20 World Cup has been a colorful tournament full of great performances and significant moments. Featured across different cricket grounds, the championship was a cricket festival that brought to life the premier women’s cricket team of every country. This year’s edition was quite an interesting one, common with scenarios of outstanding drama, extraordinary performances, and more importantly, dramatic finishing. Here are the most recent news, fixtures, and exclusive coverage of the ICC WT20 World Cup 2024, concentrating on the South Africa Women’s Cricket Team and the New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team.
Group Stage Highlights
South Africa Women’s Cricket Team Highlights
The South Africa Women’s Cricket Team exposed themselves right from the start of the cup competition. With the pioneering skipper Dane van Niekerk, the side came out guns blazing with a thumping win against the Windies. Laura Wolvaardt was the show stealer of the match; she played the innings of 65 off just 45 balls to lay the foundation of a successful tournament campaign.
This they did in their next game against England, where they were given a taste of what was to come. All was not to be, however, as they resigned themselves to a 10-run defeat. But the girls were not to be left behind as they came from the Trent Bridge defeat and walloped Pakistan in the style of a 203-run, and Wolvaardt was back to form, making a quick 78.
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team Highlights
The group stage performances of New Zealand also leave a lot of reason to look forward to them. Led by Sophie Devine, they began their journey with a narrow victory over India—an all-round performance from Devine. She managed to score 45 runs as a batswoman and picked two important scalps as a bowler; she was awarded Player of the Match.
Amelia Kerr was New Zealand’s standout performer for the tournament. Her best performance can be termed the match against Sri Lanka, where she scored an invaluable 53, not out, and there is nothing better than having her with bat and ball earning her team victory. New Zealand’s performance in the group stage was consistent, giving them a chance in the semi-finals.
Semi-Finals Thrillers
South Africa vs Australia
South Africa was matched up against a strong Australian side in the first semi-final. South Africa, soaring with the initial strike, kept it below par at 145 for six, with Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez lending the finishing touches. Australia, which boasts a powerful batting lineup, struggled to chase the target set for them, chiefly because of bowler Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka. The match was won by South Africa by 12 runs and they reached the final.
New Zealand vs England
Rightfully so, the second semi-final between New Zealand and England was one of the best seen. Auckland Won the toss and opted to field New Zealand for 150/5; Sophie Devine played the key innings of 60 runs. Amelia Kerr then came in and polished off the match with a swift 30. England’s run chase was being led by Nat Sciver, but outstanding bowling by Leigh Kasperek and Kerr made sure New Zealand emerged as the 8-run victory winners and set up a grand final clash with South Africa.
The Grand Final: SA vs NZ
ICC WT20 World Cup Final 2024: SA vs NZ
The ICC WT20 World Cup Final, 2024, was played between South Africa and New Zealand at Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was an appropriate end to a relentlessly exciting tournament on the field.
First Inning: New Zealand Sets the Bar
New Zealand was called to bat first after the team from two different sides won the toss. South Africa was put on the back foot by aggressive batting from Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates to begin with. Updated to that time, Devine’s highlight was a Six over mid-wicket to mark her half-century. It was Amelia Kerr who came out to be mature, as she scored a respectable 45 before New Zealand was bowled out for 158 for the loss of five wickets.
Second Innings: South Africa’s Chase
With a target of 159 to chase, the openers, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, took to the park with a lot of intent. Wolvaardt once again spent time in the middle, and what a beautiful watch she was—such careful construction, such assured aggression. Her highlights in the match were good shots and finally a six along the ground for long-on that thrilled the people.
The match was most exciting in the last over and South Africa needed 10 runs to clinch the match. Wolvaardt, who was calm as a cucumber, saw her side home off the last ball, and she remained not out on 74. This interesting chase showcased the brilliance of Wolvaardt and finally gave the South African team their first ICC WT20 World Cup trophy.
Key Performances
Laura Wolvaardt Highlights
Finally, Laura Wolvaardt perhaps was the most outstanding player of the day, if not the whole tournament. The number of fifties—two, the match-winning 74* in the finals, and consistently strong batting made her the top run-getter of the tournament. Her capability of getting set for a long spell and also bursting when the team wanted faster was very important for the side.
Sophie Devine Highlights
As a captain, wicketkeeper-batter, bowler, and fielder, Sophie Devine had a dazzling tournament. The big-hitting that she was especially instrumental in during the group stages and semis, as well as key wickets during pressure, built the foundation of New Zealand’s strength.
Amelia Kerr Highlights
Amelia Kerr proved to be one of the most versatile players yet again in the current series. Her crucial innings of 45 in the final and many bowling performances, especially her match-winning bowling performances against Sri Lanka, marked her as a future star of women’s cricket.
The ICC WT20 World Cup 2024 was also a significant milestone in women’s cricket, and the future has seemed better for this sport. The event was a success for the South Africa Women’s Cricket Team, as it crowned them champions after their hard work and determination as displayed on the field. This tournament will be remembered for some great matches, great individual and team performances, and the good spirit of cricket that was shown by all the teams.
