The New Zealand women’s cricket team secured their first-ever T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa in the final match on Sunday. The White Ferns sealed a remarkable 32-run victory over the Proteas to claim the ninth edition of the tournament, finally putting an end to years of disappointment.
Under the captaincy of Sophie Devine, the team displayed exceptional performance throughout the tournament. However, it was the outstanding display of Amelia Kerr that ultimately led them to victory in the final. The young all-rounder excelled with both bat and ball, scoring 43 runs and taking 3 wickets for 24 runs. Kerr’s stellar performance earned her the Player of the Match award in the final, as well as the prestigious Player of the Tournament title.
Kerr’s exceptional performance included taking 15 wickets in 6 innings, the highest by any player in a single edition of the tournament, along with scoring 135 runs. Meanwhile, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt topped the scoring charts with 223 runs in 6 innings, including 33 runs in the final.
Noteworthy achievements from the tournament included Anneke Bosch’s highest individual score of 74* off 48 balls against Australia in the first semi-final. Deandra Dottin from West Indies hit the most 6’s, while Harmanpreet Kaur from India was the only player to score multiple 50-plus scores in the tournament.
Here is the list of award winners from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024:
1. Player of the Tournament – Amelia Kerr (135 runs and 15 wickets)
2. Player of the Match in the final – Amelia Kerr (43 runs and 3 wickets)
3. Top run-scorer – Laura Wolvaardt (223 runs in 6 innings)
4. Best figures – Karishma Ramharack (4 for 17 vs Bangladesh)
5. Leading wicket-taker – Amelia Kerr (15 wickets in 6 innings)
6. Highest individual score – Anneke Bosch (74* vs AUS in the semi-final)
7. Highest strike rate – Deandra Dottin (162.16)
8. Most sixes – Deandra Dottin (9 sixes in 5 innings)
9. Most 50+ scores – Harmanpreet Kaur (2 fifties in 4 innings)
10. Most catches – Suzie Bates (7 catches in 6 innings)
