The much-awaited Final of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup is just one night’s sleep away from us all. The winners of Semi-Final 1, South Africa will be taking on the winners of Semi-Final 2, New Zealand on Sunday to be crowned as the new Women’s T20I Champion Of The World. Irrespective of who wins tomorrow, the Women’s game will have crowned a New champion for the first time in the T20 World Cup since 2016, when West Indies lifted the cup in India.
With the usual suspects Australia being kicked out in the Semi-Finals by South Africa, it’s anyone’s game in the finals now after the White Ferns got the better of West Indies in the other Semi-Final after managing to defend a really low score of just 130. This shows the prowess that the Kiwis have in their bowling attack. Amelia Kerr currently sits on top of the highest wicket-takers charts in the tournament with Eden Carson also featuring in the top 5.
But if the Kiwis have the bowlers to win matches, the Proteas have the batters. The skipper of the South Africa Women’s team, Laura Wolvaardt is currently leading the leaderboard of the highest run-getters in the 2024 WT20 WC, with her opening partner Tazmin Brits in a very close second place. Wolvaardt has scored 190 runs in the competition while Tazmin has scored 170 runs in 5 matches.
Apart from their sensational openers, South Africa has a few aces up their sleeves in Nonkululeko Mlaba who has been excellent in the competition so far and has picked up 10 wickets in 5 games. Also, Anneke Bosch, the middle-order batter has really stepped into her groove with a fine Player of the Match-worthy performance in the Semi-Finals to go past Australia.
From the outside, it might seem like a very evenly matched game, but a close look suggests that the Proteas women have a much better team all around with their batting complimenting their efficient bowling really well. Something the Kiwis might struggle against under the big lights. South Africa was here last year when they lost against Australia and this time there will be even more passion and grit to win the coveted trophy.
South Africa might create cricketing history by winning their first-ever ICC World Cup on Sunday. Who do you think will lift the 2024 Women’s World Cup 2024, let us know in the comments below.
