WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP: KIWIS CROWNED CHAMPIONS AFTER BEATING SOUTH AFRICA

Kiwi bowling allrounder Amelie Kerr was the hero for New Zealand, top-scoring with 43 before bagging 3/23 as the White Ferns beat South Africa by 32 runs to triumph Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time in their history.

After being asked to bat first, New Zealand got off to an average start as veteran opener Suzie Bates scored 32 runs during his time on the crease. Bates also became the most capped player in the history of Women’s Internationals with her appearance in the game.

And, despite wickets falling, the Kiwis built well through the middle overs, as Kerr (43) played an anchoring role alongside the explosive Brooke Halliday (38). A late cameo from Maddy Green lifted the total to 158/5 in the first inning, leaving South Africa with a stern test.

A quick start from South Africa’s openers gave the Proteas hope that it would be they who would win their first title, but the New Zealand bowling dominated to take the game away from the opponents’ hands.