Amelia Kerr Childhood dreams and New Zealand’s Historic T20 World Cup Win

Amelia Kerr always dreamed of winning a World Cup with her cricket idols, Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates. As a young schoolgirl, she would write stories about this dream. Fast forward to today, and Kerr’s dream has come true, proving the immense power of role models in sports.

On Sunday night in Dubai, Devine and Bates celebrated New Zealand’s first-ever T20 World Cup 2024 win at ages 37 and 35. Standing alongside them was Kerr, only 24, who shined as the Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament. Her role in the team has made her the link between the seasoned stars and the young talents who represent New Zealand’s future.

Kerr reflected on how she was inspired by the 2010 World Cup, which featured Devine. “From that moment, I was in the nets pretending I was batting with Sophie and Suzie,” she said. Kerr shared how playing with her idols meant so much, particularly given that Devine and Bates are two of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers.

As a child, she even wrote about winning a World Cup with them in her creative writing classes. “To actually do it now, with two of New Zealand’s best ever, it’s something incredibly special,” she said, adding that this was why she became emotional on the field.

In the final, Kerr played a pivotal role. She helped New Zealand secure a 32-run win over South Africa, who were runners-up for the second time in a row. Kerr anchored New Zealand’s innings with 43 off 38 balls, then took three crucial wickets, including South Africa’s top players Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch. She continued despite cramping after sliding to stop a boundary during the Proteas’ chase.

Kerr set a new record with 15 wickets in the tournament, the most by any bowler in a Women’s T20 World Cup. Her key performances included 3 for 24 in the final, 3 for 14 against Pakistan, and 4 for 26 in New Zealand’s sole group-stage loss to Australia, who were knocked out by South Africa in the semifinals.

Devine praised Kerr as “a once-in-a-generation player” and in the post-match conference, said, “What you achieved out there is pretty amazing.” Devine hoped the victory would inspire confidence in the team’s younger players, whose growth had been evident throughout the tournament. For Devine, the win was especially rewarding as she neared the end of her T20 International career, though she will continue as captain in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

As Maddy Green hit Ayabonga Khaka for six in the final over of New Zealand’s innings, Devine watched with satisfaction. The team had done well, especially 20-year-old opener Georgia Plimmer, who set an aggressive tone by charging at South Africa’s bowlers. After Plimmer’s dismissal, Kerr kept the innings steady between Bates’ 32 off 31 balls and Brooke Halliday’s crucial 38 off 28 balls, forming a 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

South Africa’s openers, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, had been dominant throughout the tournament, but Kerr, along with young spinners Fran Jonas and Eden Carson, ended their challenge. Jonas took the wicket of Brits in the seventh over, while Wolvaardt was caught by Bates off Kerr’s bowling. Kerr then had Bosch caught behind after a successful review and Carson dismissed Marizanne Kapp, caught by Plimmer at deep midwicket.

New Zealand’s seamers, particularly Rosemary Mair with 3 for 25, completed the job, leaving South Africa’s batting lineup in tatters. Only Wolvaardt managed to reach 33, while none of the other batters scored over 20.

New Zealand’s success came in stark contrast to their pre-tournament form. Apart from their loss to Australia, they built momentum, starting with a surprise victory over India, ending a 10-match losing streak in T20 Internationals.

As the final wicket fell, Devine and Bates embraced in celebration. Their teammates soon joined them, wrapping them in a hug at the heart of this champion team, a fitting end to New Zealand’s historic World Cup triumph.