It’s been yet another heartbreak for South African cricket, as the New Zealand women have gone from strength to strength and won a T20 World Cup for the very first time in Dubai.
Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl first, but the NZ openers were equal to the task. Georgia Plimmer came out swinging, but the intent brought about her early departure.
The experienced Suzie Bates and the promising Amelia Kerr managed to successfully consolidate after the first wicket, and added 54 between them. But it was the introduction of spin that got the Proteas yet another breakthrough. Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled Bates around her legs, and Nadine de Klerk dismissed Sophie Devine cheaply.
But the joy for SA was momentary, as Brooke Halliday notched up her personal-best of 38 in the format on the biggest of stages. Consecutive boundaries off Suné Luus finally gave the NZ innings the much-needed kick.
Some ordinary fielding and wayward bowling continued to benefit NZ, and both Kerr and Halliday took advantage of scoring opportunities on offer. Kerr remained composed for much of her innings, but two boundaries in the penultimate over came at an opportune time.
The Kiwis already had an above-average score, but when both set players departed, Maddy Green delivered the cherry on top with a maximum off the second-to-last delivery.
The target was 159, and the Proteas got off to an encouraging start. Laura Wolvaardt was calling the shots during the Powerplay, as SA stayed in sync with the asking rate. But Tazmin Brits struggled, and would hole out in the 7th over.
A decent foundation gradually began to crumble, as the quest for quick runs spelled the end of Wolvaardt’s innings. And a successful review from NZ sent back the dangerous Anneke Bosch.
None of the middle order players got going, and spin did the trick. Amelia Kerr impressed with her legspin, and Eden Carson and Fran Jonas provided very economical support.
In the end, it was unreachable, and the Proteas were short by a convincing 32 runs. It’s the third consecutive World Cup final loss for the green and gold, and it’ll be back to the drawing board.
NZ 158/5 in 20 overs (Kerr 43, Halliday 38 – Mlaba 4-0-31-2)
SA 126/9 in 20 overs (Wolvaardt 33 – Kerr 4-0-24-3, Mair 4-0-25-3)
