South Africa opts to bowl first against New Zealand in Women's T20 World Cup final

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl against New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup final on Sunday.

Both teams fielded an unchanged side from their semi-final wins where South Africa stunned defending champions Australia in the first semi by eight wickets on Thursday, while New Zealand beat West Indies in the second semi-final by eight runs on Friday.

This is South Africa’s second straight final appearance in the tournament. Losing to Australia by 19 runs, it had finished runners-up in its home tournament in 2023, its best result in the tournament history.

New Zealand, meanwhile, reached the tournament final for the first time since 2010. In the first two editions – 2009 and 2010 – it had lost to England by six wickets in London, and to Australia by three runs in Barbados.

The 2024 T20 World Cup will consequently crown a first-time champion.

It is the first time South Africa and New Zealand have crossed paths in a T20 World Cup knockout – New Zealand leads their series 3-2 in past group encounters in the tournament.

Both teams finished second in their respective league groups – New Zealand beat India in its all-important opener, as well as Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but lost to Australia thus finishing second in group A.

South Africa lost to England, but beat West Indies, Scotland and Bangladesh to qualify second from group B.

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium should be good for batters on both sides. The average score in the powerplay has gone up at this venue as the tournament has progressed sp a high-scoring game could be on the cards.

___

Lineups:

New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (captain), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka