ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final: It will be cricket extravaganza on Sunday when South Africa and New Zealand collide in the contest to add glory to the game’s heritage. Each member of these teams has spent years, decades even, in the case of players like Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Marizanne Kapp.
Winner takes all in this ultimate showdown at the #T20WorldCup 2024 Final š
Who are you cheering for?
Preview ā”ļø https://t.co/RphViueFFb pic.twitter.com/DjpE6cxMBv---Advertisement---— ICC (@ICC) October 20, 2024
A Battle For Glory
New Zealand hopes to win the championship for the first time in 14 years. South Africans are on a quest to win their second title in two years only. The South Africans defeated Australia, which had crushed their hopes during a match to remember in Cape Town last February.
Journeys Parallel To The Final
Both teams have had thriller wins that have kicked open the excitement and tough defeats that raised serious doubts about their future. They are looking to set a pathway that mirrors the success of Australia and England with a transition they have experienced. Their appearance in the final has won hope for women’s cricket and the game in general.
Historical Significance Of Dubai Pitch
It is a game of great importance for both teams. The last time in 2014, South Africa emerged victorious to win its first-ever silverware in the junior or senior World Cup under the captaincy of Aiden Markram. On the other hand, New Zealand suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the men’s T20 World Cup in 2021, so this would be an emotional rematch.
Also Read: WTC Points Table: India Retains Top Spot Despite Setback Against New Zealand In 1st Test
New Champion Awaits
Whichever team wins today, the women’s T20 World Cup will have its new champion and mark another milestone for the game.
It's the last chapter of #T20WorldCup 2024 š
— ICC (@ICC) October 20, 2024
Everything you need to know ahead of the big final between South Africa and New Zealand ā¬ļøhttps://t.co/Kzz88e7AsY
Players To Watch Out
Sophie Devine
It was Sophie Devine who hit a sixer in Barbados fourteen years ago, and it was pulled off by Ellyse Perry to deny a Super Over in the T20 World Cup final. Now, after years of ups and downs, Devine gets the chance to end her captaincy stint with the supreme prize.
Anneke Bosch
Criticism had been raining on the head of Anneke Bosch’s batting ahead of the semi-final, where she failed to keep up her strike rate above one run per ball. She pretty much silenced her critics with a stellar performance against Australia, thereby scoring an unbeaten 74. Bosch will be looking to reproduce that success in the final.
Team News: Stability Expected
Both teams are unlikely to change the lineups much from the semi-finals. South Africa has played the same team from the start, so that showed consistency.
Pitch And Conditions: Spin Will Be The Key
Pitch conditions were always unknown factors going into the previous ICC finals. This time around, on the Dubai pitches, it is expected that spin will be favored, and teams will tend to use the slower bowlers to control the game. Dew has hardly played a role in this tournament, and thereby, the effectiveness of spin bowling is even more stressed.
Given the cool night temperatures, the fitness of players would be put to the test, and this final will become a clash of both skill and endurance.
