Who: South Africa vs New ZealandContent: Final, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024Date and time: Sunday, October 20th, 6pm (14:00 GMT)Location: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesHow to follow: Al Jazeera’s live text coverage starts at 10:30 GMT
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 has been a dominant force for many years, having won six of the past eight tournaments, but their opportunities have been limited in other tournaments. The only teams to see them off were England in the inaugural tournament in 2009 and West Indies in 2016. The Australian has also played in seven of the eight finals, but not this time after South Africa’s resounding victory in Thursday’s semi-final.
This tournament, which was scheduled to be held but was suddenly moved to the United Arab Emirates due to political instability in Bangladesh, is fitting for a tournament that has produced some excellent cricket and some middling cricket. It promises to be the finale.
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 during the tournament. Unlike others, the White Ferns almost made their own catch in their semi-final win over West Indies, although they made life even more awkward by dropping Deandra Dottin twice. has been maintained. 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. There are 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. “We’re really excited about the final. We have nothing to lose and it’s a great space,” said New Zealand’s last two finals, the latter of which was against Australia in the 2010 final. said Devine, who was part of the team that lost by three points. “We’re going to win this now.”
Laura Wolvaardt hopes to forget South Africa’s defeat in the last final when they face New Zealand on Sunday (François Nel/Getty Images)
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. The Proteas also defeated the White Ferns for 67 in that edition, winning the group stage encounter by 65 runs.
“They’re a great team,” Devine said of captain Laura Wolvaart, evergreen all-rounder Marisanne Kapp and No. 3, whose incredible 74 not out led South Africa to an eight-wicket victory over Australia on Thursday. Referring to batter Anneke Bosch, he said: Semi-finals.
“Laura leads them from the front,” she said. “Kapp is one of the best players in the world and Bosch was great in the match against Australia. But we have to focus on ourselves and hope the cricket gods are on our side too. No.”
The South Africans have also improved over the last 12 months and the trio are at the forefront of the batsmen, while Nonkululeko Mlaba, the second-highest wicket-taker with 10, is leading the way in the bowling attack, with strong support from Kapp and Ayabonga in particular. is leading. Kaka.
“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 if we can, now we want to stay until the final.”
South Africa vs. New Zealand: Head to head results
The two teams have met 15 times in T20 matches since 2005. At the time, South Africa enjoyed an 8-7 advantage over New Zealand.
South Africa’s best result in the T20 World Cup
Runner-up: 2023
New Zealand’s best result in the T20 World Cup
Runner-up: 2009, 2010
Form Guide: South Africa
South Africa reached the final as the only team to beat Australia this year. First, when he defeated the champion at 149 in a one-day international tournament in February, and then Thursday in the semifinals.
Proteas lost one match in the tournament but won the away T20 series against Pakistan.
Last 5 games: WWWWW
Form Guide: New Zealand
The White Ferns opened the World Cup with a win over pre-tournament favorites India and finished the group stage with a win over Pakistan. The only loss in the tournament was against defending champions Australia, where South Africa lost in the first semi-final.
Last 5 games: WWWWW
Toss and pitch conditions
The team that won the toss has chosen to bat first in five of the nine matches played in Dubai during this tournament, and the heat is likely to have an impact on decisions.
But South Africa won the toss-and-field and will take the knowledge of Thursday’s win against Australia into the match.
India’s 172-3 victory over Sri Lanka remains the highest total at this venue despite many low-scoring encounters.
weather forecast
Despite the evening start, the Heat will continue to play a role in the final. Temperatures are expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity is expected to be 50 percent, making for hot and sticky conditions for athletes.
Team News: South Africa
South Africa are not expected to make any changes to the squad that booked their place in the final with victory over Australia.
Team: Laura Wolvaardt (captain, wicketkeeper), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Blitz, Nadine de Klerk, Annelie Derksen, Mieke de Ridder (wicketkeeper), Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta ( Wicketkeeper), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Kaka, Sune Ruth, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnee Naidoo, Tumi Sekhuhune, Chloe Tryon.
Team News: New Zealand
There were no major injuries to New Zealand’s regular playing eleven, but they are expected to face the same team that defeated West Indies in the semi-finals.
Team: Sophie Devine (captain), Susie Bates, Eden Carson, Isabella Gaze (wicketkeeper), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Lee Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Leah Tahufu.
