New Delhi: Suzie Bates claimed the spotlight as New Zealand took on South Africa in the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. It is her 334th appearance in women’s international cricket – the most by any player. She surpassed Mithali Raj to bag the elite record, making her the lady of the moment. However, she couldn’t capitalise on her innings in the titular clash and endured another heartbreaking dismissal.
South Africa, who invited the Kiwis to bat first, removed Bates as the second wicket of the innings. After Georgia Plimmer was sent back in the second over itself, Bates was clean bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba during the eighth over. It was the fourth delivery of the over which was flat, fast, and a length one aimed at the leg stump to which Bates tried playing an unorthodox shot. She got inside the line and went low to paddle it away but missed it and the leg stump was pegged back.
Bates had to depart on 32 off 31 balls, hitting three fours in the process. However, she was clean bowled in the previous clash as well which was the semifinal encounter against West Indies on Friday. Batting first, New Zealand were again delivered a good start by Bates but she was bowled by Karishma Ramharack in the ninth over, removing her as the first wicket of the clash. Bates tried going for a reverse hit but missed it and the off stump was disturbed. Two rash shots cost Bates in two very important clashes for New Zealand.
Here’s the video of Bates’ dismissals –
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New Zealand post daunting 158
In what can be said as a challenging target, New Zealand posted 158/5 in 20 overs on their scoreboard during the first innings. A tournament that rarely saw any team getting above 130 on slow pitches of the UAE, New Zealand posting 158 will definitely put a sort of mental pressure on South Africa. After Bates’ 32, Amelia Kerr (43 off 38) and Brooke Halliday (38 off 28) partnered for 57 runs for the fourth wicket to strengthen the White Ferns’ score.
The chase has already begun and South Africa are going quite well after the target, having scored 58 in the first eight overs, losing just one wicket in the form of Tazmin Brits (17 off 18).
