Dubai: New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr, who led the White Ferns to their first-ever T20 Women’s World Cup win, took a moment to thank her veteran teammates Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu after the historic victory. Reflecting on her journey, Kerr shared how she had idolized Devine and Bates since childhood, even writing stories in school about winning a World Cup alongside them. On Sunday, her childhood dream came true as she contributed with a crucial 43-run knock and took three key wickets, securing a 32-run win against South Africa.
Kerr’s admiration for her senior teammates was evident as she expressed how their leadership had shaped her cricketing career. Devine, 35, and Bates, 37, both played pivotal roles in the final, with Bates scoring 32 runs and taking three catches, while Tahuhu tightened the opposition’s grip with her bowling. Despite Devine contributing only six runs, her captaincy was instrumental in bringing out the best in the younger players, including Kerr.
The day held special significance for Kerr, who fondly recalled watching New Zealand’s 2010 T20 World Cup loss to Australia, a match that ignited her passion for the game. “From that moment, I was in the nets pretending I was batting with Sophie and Suzie,” she shared. Now, years later, she stood victorious beside her role models, fulfilling her childhood dream.
For the White Ferns, this victory marked a turning point in their cricketing history, and with the men’s team also securing a Test win in India on the same day, it was arguably New Zealand’s greatest day in cricket. Devine expressed hope that their success would inspire future generations to embrace the sport, saying, “I’m really hopeful that tonight’s victory can inspire not just young girls but young boys to pick up a cricket bat or ball.”
