Top 5 oldest players to win a Women's T20 World Cup final ft. Sophie Devine
The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup triumph was a perfect redemption for New Zealand, who came into the tournament having hit a low, suffering 10 consecutive defeats in T20Is.
The White Ferns, a prominent side when it comes to women's cricket, were not even among the favorites to go the distance at the start of the tournament. However, with all their experience, belief, and backing each other throughout, they scripted a fairytale comeback to beat South Africa and create history by winning their maiden Women's T20 World Cup trophy.
This triumph was particularly memorable as veterans Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates played key roles throughout the tournament. Having reached a point where their careers are probably towards the end, it was only fitting that the duo tasted this success.
They proved their worth once again, with Sophie Devine captaining the side to their first-ever triumph at the Women's T20 World Cup. On that note, here are the top five oldest players to have won a Women's T20 World Cup final.
Top 5 oldest players to win a Women's T20 World Cup final
#5 Shelley Nitschke (33y 164d)
Australian batter Shelley Nitschke, now 47, was 33 years and 164 days old when she was a part of the team that won the 2010 Women's World T20. Australia beat New Zealand in the final by a close margin of three runs.
Shelley Nitschke, however, did not have a memorable tournament personally with the bat, as she could only manage to score 91 runs from five innings, scoring just three runs in the final. Although, she made an important contribution with the ball, picking up five wickets in the tournament, including one in the final.
#4 Claire Taylor (33y 269d)
Former English wicketkeeper-batter Claire Taylor was an important part of the England side that won the 2009 Women's World T20. Now 49, she was 33 years and 269 days old at the time of their win in the final.
Claire had an outstanding tournament, being one of the key reasons for England's triumph. She scored an unbeaten 39 in the final.
Showing brilliant form throughout, Claire accumulated a total of 199 runs overall and was also adjudged the 'Player of the Series'.
#3 Lea Tahuhu (34y 27d)
A prominent name in women's cricket, New Zealand's Lea Tahuhu was also part of the team that beat South Africa in the final of the 2024 edition. Tahuhu, 34, has made immense contributions to the White Ferns throughout her career.
By her standards, she did not have a great tournament, managing to pick up just five wickets from six innings. She also went wicketless in the final. Nonetheless, having played 96 T20Is and being among their top performers, she is deserving enough to have been a part of this winning side.
#2 Sophie Devine (35y 49d)
Sophie Devine, at 35, captained New Zealand to their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title, leading them to the win in the recent final. Coming on the back of 10 consecutive defeats, the pressure on Sophie was immense.
While she managed to score only 114 runs in the tournament, it was her leadership that was truly inspiring, scripting history with a dramatic turnaround. She became the oldest captain to win a Women's T20 World Cup.
#1 Suzie Bates (37y 34d)
A veteran in women's cricket, New Zealand's Suzie Bates, at 37, became the oldest player in history to have won a Women's T20 World Cup final after her side's victory in the final against South Africa in the 2024 edition.
Though she was not at her usual best, she was among the key performers for them, scoring 150 runs from six innings, being their joint top run-scorer in this edition.
This included a crucial 32-run knock in the final, which was also her highest individual score in the tournament.