"I think if you're talking about performances, that India one probably set the tone for us" - Sophie Devine on New Zealand's successful campaignÂ
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine underlined the importance of the mammoth 58-win over India that kickstarted their 2024 Women's T20 World Cup campaign. The White Ferns ended an 11-match losing streak on the back of the triumph in Dubai and went on to qualify for the semi-finals from Group A before beating South Africa in the final on Sunday, October 20.
New Zealand were far from favorites heading into the tournament and were handed a tough group with heavyweights like India and Australia marking their presence. They set the tempo early in the clash against Harmanpreet Kaur and company after Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer capitalized on India's poor bowling and fielding.
Skipper Sophie Devine also stepped up in the middle-order, scoring an unbeaten fifty to help New Zealand post 160-4. They were as dominant with the ball, making easy work of the Indian batting outfit. The pace bowling duo of Rosemary Mair and Lea Tahuhu picked up seven wickets combined to bundle out India for just 102 runs.
"It's really hard to pinpoint one moment or one game. Probably most recently is that India game though. I think that was probably the most complete performance we've had since the World Cup in South Africa and everything did come together and, as I said, it showed that belief and confidence in this group and to put it together and to know that we could do it," Sophie Devine said during the post-match press conference after the final.
"I think was a massive moment for us and helped us on our journey to being here tonight with this in front of us. So hard to pinpoint because there's so much that goes into it. I mean everyone thinks about the games but it's the work that goes on behind the scenes that a lot of people don't see. But yeah, I think if you're talking about performances, that India one probably set the tone for us," she added.
New Zealand became the fourth nation to win the Women's T20 World Cup after Australia, England and the West Indies.
"It's going to be cool to see the impact that hopefully this one has" - Sophie Devine
New Zealand endured a scare in the group stage after a massive loss to Australia and a poor batting display against Pakistan. However, they qualified for the semi-finals with six points, where they had to overcome the West Indies in a tense encounter.
"It still feels pretty surreal at the moment and the impact of hopefully what tonight we've been able to achieve is going to be long-standing and long-reaching. Everyone loves a winner don't they? So, it's going to be pretty cool for us and to see hopefully the impact that has. We've obviously got a big summer coming up and then another World Cup in 12 months' time so we'll certainly relish this and enjoy it. But yeah, it's going to be cool to see the impact that hopefully this one has," Devine said in the post-match press conference.
Devine ended the tournament with 117 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 107.54. All-rounder Amelia Kerr was adjudged Player of the Tournament for her 135 runs and 15 wickets in the campaign.
The next edition of the Women's T20 World Cup will be held in England in 2026.