New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr becomes top wicket-taker in Women’s T20 World Cup (Giuseppe CACACE)
Whatever the result in Dubai on Sunday, New Zealand will have a new name engraved on the trophy when they take on South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup final.
Australia have been a dominant force for many years, winning six of the past eight tournaments, which has limited opportunities for other players.
The only teams to see them off were England in the inaugural tournament in 2009 and West Indies in 2016.
The tournament, which was scheduled to be held but was suddenly moved to the United Arab Emirates due to political unrest in Bangladesh, will be a fitting finale to a tournament that has produced both good and middling cricket. is promised.
As well as bringing renewed interest to the women’s game, Sunday’s final will pit two teams who have played some of the most cunning and bravest cricket in the competition to date.
Unlike the others, the White Ferns kept most of their catches, although they made life even trickier for themselves by dropping Deandra Dottin twice in their semi-final win over West Indies. I did. Not many teams can pull that off.
After posting 128 wins and 9 losses, falling short by 10-15 points even on the slower pitches of Sharjah, the Kiwis were able to improve their total against the batting line-up, as England were feeling uncomfortable in the winner-take-all group matches. I defended it to the fullest. , it takes no prisoners.
Excellent bowling from top wicket-taker Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson in the 12 innings left skipper Sophie Devine optimistic heading into the final.
“I’m really excited for the final. We have nothing to lose and it’s a great space,” said Devine, who was part of the team that lost the 2010 final to Australia by three points. Finals.
“We’re going to win this now.”
~ “Unbelievable” South Africa ~
But she is well aware of the danger posed by the South African team, which narrowly lost by 19 points to Australia in the final in Cape Town last year.
“They’re a great team,” said Devine, along with captain Laura Wolvaert, the evergreen all-rounder Marizanne Cupp and No. 3 batsman, whose stunning 74 not out led South Africa to an eight-wicket victory over Australia in Thursday’s semi-final. Anneke Bosch said: -final.
“Laura will lead them from the front,” she said. “Kapp is one of the best players in the world and Bosch was great in the game against Australia.
“But we have to focus on ourselves and hope the cricket gods are on our side too.”
The South African team has also improved over the last 12 months, with the trio at the forefront of the batsmen, while Nonkululeko Mlaba, who is second in wicket-taker with 10, is leading the way in the bowling attack, with strong support from Kapp and Ayabonga Kaka in particular. is leading. .
“I’m incredibly proud of everyone and the team and the way we approached this World Cup and played throughout,” Bosch said after the match-winning knock.
“I think we said we haven’t played our best game yet and probably aren’t there yet, but we’d like to make it to the final if we can.”
BSP/DJ
