New Zealand 158 for 5 (Kerr 43, Holiday 38, Bates 32, Mlava 2-31) south africa 9-for-126 (Ulvard 33, Maier 3-25, Kerr 3-24), 32 runs scored.
With issues of depth and limited financial resources, it was fitting that the two legends who had carried the country’s cricketing ecosystem for so long were able to enjoy the night of their lives in the twilight of their careers.
Additionally, New Zealand entered the tournament with 10 T20I losses, the longest loss of any team, which they turned around to win the Cricket World Cup. But none of that mattered tonight.
Bates and New Zealand are shaking
By then, the pressure of the finals had begun to gnaw on both teams. Marizanne Kapp missed a potential run-out opportunity against Bates in the fifth when she couldn’t pick up a clean dud at square leg. Sinalo Jafta missed a chance at stumps on the 6th over and failed to gather the ball as Bates was dragged off. South Africa attempted a ramp off Kileko Melaba in the 8th over as Bates fell for 32 off 31 balls.
Halliday injects momentum into her career
The pace of the surface slowed and the dismissals of Bates and Sophie Devine forced New Zealand into a massive effort from the middle order.
Halliday broke the boundary drought by taking a slog sweep off Sune Luus on 14, and when the shackles were broken, New Zealand had another boundary off the very next ball. Halliday’s presence breathed life into an innings where he was struggling to get out of the second gear by running around the crease and opening scoring areas behind the square on the leg side.
Halliday’s enterprise helped him score a huge half-century off just 37 balls, with Kerr playing a supporting role. In his innings of 32, Halliday’s highest in a T20IS, he scored 33 off 82, in which Halliday’s career-high 38 was his first of 28 runs.
Woolvardt counter punches for South Africa
New Zealand took the cue in their batting innings, introducing spin in the second with Eden Carson and Fran Jonas looking to apply the squeeze. In the first three overs, South Africa managed two boundaries but continued to pound the ball.
With Tazmin Brits Solid, it was the first time in the tournament that New Zealand failed to pick up a wicket in the powerplay. At 0’s 47, South Africa was on course.
South Africa has been in free fall since Wolvard was fired.
Carson then dealt the blow that ended South Africa’s hopes when he miscued Carp to slog deep midwicket in the 12th over. Kapp’s pained gait and Kerr’s ecstasy provided two contrasting emotions in one frame. The story of who gets their hands on the trophy before the night comes out.
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo.
