New Zealand’s journey to quest 2024 T20 World Cup

2024 has been a hard year for South Africans. Firstly, their men’s team lost to Indians in the finals of 2024 T20 World Cup. Then, after nearly three months, their women’s team lost in the finals to the New Zealanders. However, both the men’s and women’s proteas team played some exceptional cricket throughout the tournament, but small slip ups on the final day costed them their maiden titles.

Today, in this article by ZAP Cricket, we will share the journey of champions- New Zealand, on how they achieved this milestone and how their quest ended after 14 years. 

New Zealand Women’s Batch of 2024 

Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Suzie Bates, Leigh Kasperk, Amelia Kerr, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Molly Penfold, Rosemary Mair

Journey of the New Zealand Women’s team started way before, that is, in 2010. It was when they were defeated by Australia Women’s Team in the finals of 2010 Women’s T20 World Cup by barely 3 runs. Veterans Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates saw their dreams crash down right in front of their eyes. Hence, that is when the quest for their maiden title started. Cut to 2024, they played their first league match against India. The Black Ferns started their tournament on the right note and they conveniently defeated Harmanpreet and Co. by 58 runs. Sophie Devine scored a solid knock of 57 off 36 and that gave her bowlers the needed cushion to ball freely. 

High on confidence, they played their second match against six times world champions- Australia. Their positive intent crashed down as New Zealanders were all out for 88 and consequently lost the match by 60 runs.  

Devine regrouped and made sure that her side bounced back in the next game. On 12th October, 2024, they played their third league match against Sri Lanka. They had to chase 116 and Georgia Plummer, scored fifty to make her side win the match by 8 wickets. Next, the Black Ferns took on Pakistan Women and won the match as if defeating the latter was a piece of cake. 

The league stage had finished by then and New Zealand qualified for the semi finals as they won 3 of the 4 league matches. 

On 18th October, 2024 they took on the table toppers- West Indies at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Batting first, they posted 128 on board with Georgia Plummer scoring highest runs 33 off 31 balls. Now it was the bowler's job to restrict the oppositions and Eden Carson made no mistake. She took 3 wickets and gave away 29 runs in her quota of four overs. West Indies managed to score only 120 runs. Deandra Dottin did really well with the ball but her efforts went in vain as the Black Ferns who moved ahead to Finals. 

On 20th October, 2024, the stage was set and Sophie Devine’s team were all set to take on South Africa at Dubai International Stadium. Amelia Kerr showed brilliant character in Finals and she was recognised as the Player of the Match for her heroics with both bat and bowl. New Zealand batter first and they scored 158 in 20 overs. It was a steep task for their opponents to chase down the target and subsequently they failed to do so. 

New Zealand Women won the match by 32 runs and they are the new world Champions now. 

The story of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates is quite movie-like. Firstly, how they lost the finals in 2011 and now, how they bounced back to get the crown they truly deserved. Both these players have been the pillars of their national team for so many years and now that they achieved their greatest dream, it seems like a happy ending for both the veterans. They truly are the legends of the game and the world will remember their contribution in Women’s Cricket.

Young sensation- Amelia Kerr

This young sensation was ‘Player of the Match’ and ‘Player of the Tournament’. Her contribution in all the three departments- batting, bowling and fielding were very effective for the team. She is one of the main reasons why New Zealand ended their trophy drought. New Zealand played 6 matches in total, and Amelia Kerr made decent contributions in all of them. In total, she took 15 wickets and scored 135 runs. Her versatility as a player makes her an asset. She could potentially be the next GOAT in women’s cricket and the world is waiting for her to blossom at the highest level.