The New Zealand Women’s team have been the most hit-and-miss team in the Women’s T20 World Cup history over the years since its inception. The White Ferns, as they are known, have finished twice as Runners-up in the tournament, once in 2009 and also the next year in 2010. Then they started finishing as semi-finalists, in 2012, 2014 and 2016. And then in the last three editions of the tournament leading up to the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, the New Zealand Women’s team made back-to-back-to-back Group Stage exits.
This cycle of mediocrity has finally ended in the 2024 edition though! With a huge win over India early into the Group Stages, New Zealand have rode on that momentum and found a way into the Semi-Finals of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. With momentum on their side, and only one loss in the whole tournament, coming against the Mighty Australians who finished Group A on top.
New Zealand have qualified for the Semis after defeating Pakistan and finishing 2nd in the group above India and will be up against the Surprise opposition in West Indies who have managed to get the better of teams like England and South Africa as they find themselves as table toppers of Group B. Their all-round ability will be a huge challenge for New Zealand to tackle in the Semi-Finals.
Whether New Zealand can get the better of West Indies in the Semi-Finals will depend on the experience of Sophie Devine with the bat in hand, and the magic of Amelia Kerr with the ball in hand. The 24-year-old Leg Spinner has been the standout player of the tournament after the conclusion of the Group Stages leading the Wicket-taking charts having picked up 10 wickets in just 4 matches.
Against the West Indies on Friday, New Zealand will be considered the favourites to go into the Final where they will face either Australia or South Africa depending on who wins the first Semi-Final on Thursday. This means that after 2010, 14 years later, New Zealand have the chance to play in the Finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Can they go all the way in 2024? We will have to wait and watch.
