New Zealand split US$2.3m after winning Women's T20 WC

Beat South Africa by 32 runs to lift maiden title

FE Team | Published: October 21, 2024 22:01:36

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Oct 21 (AP): Members of the New Zealand White Ferns cricket team which beat South Africa by 32 runs in the final of the women's Twenty20 World Cup in Dubai on Sunday will split prize money of around US$2.3 million.
That works out at around US$155,000 of NZ$256,000 per team member, a life-changing windfall for players who for years have struggled for years to achieve financial parity with their male counterparts.
New Zealand's first-ever victory in the World Cup of cricket's shortest format was a massive surprise. The White Ferns had lost 10 consecutive T20 matches before beating South Africa in a warm-up match.
That pre-tournament success proved a turning point for New Zealand who beat India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, losing only to Australia on the way to the semifinals.
South Africa ousted six-time champion Australia in a massive upset in the semi in which New Zealand beat the West Indies.
New Zealand made 158-5, batting first in the final, helped by Suzy Bates who made 32, Amelia Kerr who made 43 and Brooke Halliday who made 38. Kerr then took 3-24 and Rosemary Mair 3-25 as New Zealand restricted South Africa to 126-9.
"Pretty unbelievable to be honest," Mair said. "Coming into the tournament all the odds were against us so for the group to bounce back like they have is unbelievable.
"We just care so much about each other. We've been through a lot of lows in the last 18 months, and we've just stuck by each other and kept working hard for each other."
Captain Sophie Devine was leading the New Zealand team for the last time. She and Bates have played in all nine T20 World Cups since the first in 2009. New Zealand reached the final of the first two tournaments in 2009 and 2010, losing to Australia on both occasions.