On Sunday (October 20), New Zealand women achieved a historical 32-run victory against the South Africa women’s team to lift their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup trophy in the 2024 edition. The White Ferns ultimately succeeded in their third attempt at the T20WC finals under Sophie Devine’s captaincy and ended their 15-year-long wait after finishing as the runner-up in the inaugural edition in 2009 and the next season in 2010.

Moreover, it is the first time that New Zealand has ever won a T20 World Cup that includes both men’s and women’s cricket.

Unfortunately, South African men’s and women’s teams choked up once again in the T20 World Cup 2024 finals by failing to chase the required target. Earlier, this year, the male counterparts faced a 7-run loss against Team India in a thrilling run chase of the T20 World Cup finals in Barbados. As a result, their battle to win their first World Cup trophy continues.

Compared to the 2023 edition, the ICC (International Cricket Council) has doubled the prize money upto 134%, to create a perfect balance between the men’s and women’s games.

New Zealand’s all-rounder Amelia Kerr bagged the Player of the Match for her crucial contribution in the finals and the Player of the Tournament award for ranking as the highest wicket-taker of the season.

Let’s find out how New Zealand overcame all the odds to emerge as the new champions by defeating South Africa in the recently concluded Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final.

New Zealand’s Efforts to Win Their First T20 World Cup Title

South African women’s team skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s decision to bowl first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium completely backfired her plans as New Zealand managed to post a competitive total of 158-5 in 20 overs.

A decent contribution from these New Zealand women batters assisted the team to a 150-plus total:

• Amelia Kerr: 43 runs from 38 balls – including 4 fours.
• Brooke Halliday: 38 runs from 28 balls – including 3 fours.
• Suzie Bates: 32 runs from 31 balls – including 3 fours.
• Maddy Green: 12 runs from 6 balls – including 1 six.

Shockingly, South African batters who performed well throughout the tournament, particularly during run chases couldn’t tackle New Zealand’s powerful bowling attack.

Amelia Kerr’s 3-24 in 4 overs and Rosemary Mair’s 3-25 in 4 overs supported by the performances of Eden Carson, Fran Jonas, and Brooke Halliday taking a wicket each restricted the Proteas to 126-9 in 20 overs.

The South African skipper and opening batter Laura Wolvaardt’s 27-ball-33 run knock was able to provide a good start to her team but wasn’t enough to guide her team in a crucial run chase.

It is the second consecutive time that the South African women’s cricketers collapsed in their T20 World Cup final, which includes their 19-run loss against Australia in the previous season.

Overall, it has been a memorable night on Sunday for Sophie Devine and her team exhibiting stunning all-round performances.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Prize Money: Winners, Runners-up, Semi-Finalists and Group Stages Teams

The New Zealand Women’s cricket team split USD 2.34 million in prize money after emerging as the winners of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Each team member will receive a reward of USD 155,000 (NZ$256,000).

Here is the prize money awarded to each team after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024:

Earlier, the ICC announced a total prize amount with a lucrative amount of  $7,958,080 for the 2024 edition, which resulted in an equal distribution of prize money for both men’s and women’s T20 World Cup tournaments. This decision promoted the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 status as one of the most prestigious events in the cricket calendar.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 List of Award Winners and Their Best Performances

Here is the list of award winners at the ICC Women’s T20 Cup 2024 selected for their notable performances throughout the ninth season of the tournament: