The Cricket World Cup no one saw coming: New Zealand claim first ever T20 title
Who could have predicted this?
If anyone claims they did, they’re either lying or have a crystal ball.
The 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was packed with twists and turns from start to finish.
From underdogs pulling off shocking upsets to heavyweights stumbling at critical moments – and, crucially, a new champion emerging – this was a World Cup that continuously defied expectations.
Even before the first ball was bowled, the venue changed from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates. For most teams, the UAE was uncharted territory, with little women’s cricket ever played there. This only added to the uncertainty, setting the stage for a World Cup full of the unknown.
The evolving landscape of the women’s game was on full display. The quality of matchups has improved, teams are getting stronger, and the gaps between them are closing.
Even so, it was hard to look past the likes of Australia, India and England. But that’s the beauty of T20 cricket: you never quite know what you’re going to get.
New Zealand make history
Heading into the tournament, New Zealand faced an uphill battle. Not only were they coming off ten straight T20I losses, but they were also placed in the ‘group of death’. Making the semi-final would mean outdoing either Australia or India.
Their opening game against the latter delivered the tournament’s first major upset. New Zealand stunned India with a dominant 58-run victory.
Captain Sophie Devine said after yesterday’s triumph: “If you’re talking about performances, that India one probably set the tone for us.
“That was probably the most complete performance we’ve had since the World Cup in South Africa and everything did come together and, as I said, it showed the belief and confidence in this group and to put it together and to know that we could do it.”
Despite finishing as runners-up in the first two T20 World Cups, the White Ferns hadn’t reached a final since 2010.
That drought ended with a hard-fought semi-final win against the West Indies.
New Zealand followed this up with a brilliant display against South Africa, to claim their first ever T20 World Cup title. All-rounder Melie Kerr was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament, scoring 43 off 38 balls and taking three wickets in the final.
For Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, this victory holds special significance. Both experienced the heartbreak of New Zealand’s losses in the 2009 and 2010 finals. They’ve witnessed every high and low, playing pivotal roles in the teams resurgence. Together they’ve amassed 634 international appearances. Bates, with her 334th appearance in the final, became the most-capped women’s international player in history.
Kerr said: “I was inspired to be a White Fern watching that 2010 World Cup which Sophie was at and from that moment I was at the nets with my dad pretending I was batting with Sophie and Suzie.
“I don’t necessarily believe you deserve things in sport, but if any two people do, it’s Sophie and Suzie.”
South Africa fall short but stand tall
For the second consecutive tournament, South Africa will have to settle for second place.
Despite winning the toss and opting to field, the Proteas struggled to contain New Zealand’s relentless batting attack. They allowed their opponents to dictate the game, and giving away 15 extras didn’t help.
Going into the second innings, South Africa faced a daunting target of 159 runs. No team had ever successfully chased such a high total in a Women’s T20 World Cup final. Achieving it would also have marked South Africa’s fourth highest run chase in their history.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt led the charge with a fierce power-play performance, giving her side hope. However, after New Zealand took a few crucial wickets, the required run-rate kept climbing, and the trophy gradually slipped out of South Africa’s reach.
Though there was understandable heartbreak and tears, the players can still hold their heads high. Their semi-final win over defending champions Australia was a triumph few saw coming.
Australia, with the exception of the first instalment, have featured in every final. With six titles to their name, they were favourites to do it again, especially after India and England faltered unexpectedly during the group stages.
South Africa, however, shocked the world. In a stunning rematch of the 2023 final, they didn’t just beat Australia; they convincingly chased down their total in just 17.2 overs.
As a result, one thing became certain: a new name would be etched on the trophy.
South Africa may have been favourites going into the final, but in this tournament, that clearly didn’t count for much.
Wolvaardt said: “Sometimes you have your best game and I think we played our best game a couple of days too early and we were beaten on the day today. They were the better side today.”
A World Cup for the ages
This feels like a landmark moment in women’s international cricket.
There’s been plenty of disappointment, as is the case for any world cup. But it has also been refreshing. The elimination of top-ranked teams reflects the game’s global growth and signals a more competitive, exciting future.
For the first time in a women’s ODI or T20 World Cup, neither Australia nor England featured in the final. Scotland, despite their struggles, made history by competing in their first ever world cup. Just months ago, Sri Lanka claimed their first Asia Cup, defeating India in the final.
Perhaps this is a turning point – but only time will tell.
As the New Zealand captain said: “I’m really hopeful that tonight’s victory can inspire that next generation of not just young girls but young boys as well to pick up a cricket bat, a cricket ball.”
New Zealand’s achievement cannot be overstated. They defied the odds to etch their name into history.
That said, I think fans can agree, the real winner is cricket.
Featured image credit: © ICC 2023
