SA vs NZ, Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Final Highlights: New Zealand beat South Africa to win title

Well then, the White Ferns pose for the photographs. And with this, it brings us to the conclusion of an immersive and highly successful Women's T20 World Cup 2024. The land of Emirates proved to be a spectacular host for the tournament which was initially scheduled to be played in Bangladesh. New Zealand have added the coveted trophy to its cabinet and has ended the wait of 15 long years. This momentous day marks a new chapter in New Zealand's cricketing history. By clinching the World Cup title, they've now entered an elite group, joining Australia, West Indies, and England as the only nations to have achieved this prestigious feat in women's T20 cricket. As we bring the curtain down on this thrilling tournament, we reflect on its resounding success. From the first ball to the last, each match has contributed to a spectacular showcase of women's cricket at its finest. We sincerely hope that our comprehensive coverage has enhanced your enjoyment. While this tournament has concluded, the global cricketing calendar remains packed with action. You can look forward to a variety of ongoing and upcoming series and matches across different formats. But we sign off from here, take care, ADIOS!

Sophie Devine now walks towards the podium and receives the ICC WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP TROPHY from the ICC Chairperson Greg Barclay. She collects the trophy and hands it over to the teammates as they rise up in jubilation. The champagnes and the fireworks go off and tears roll down in pride with a sense of relief on each one's face.

Sophie Devine, the VICTORIOUS skipper of NEW ZEALAND WOMEN is up for a chat with a broad smile. She begins by saying that it is pretty hard to put into words about how they feel right now. Says she started dreaming the other night as to how it would be to lift that cup in front of her teammates, but also says that she did not wanted to think too far ahead. On being asked about losing 10 games on the trot leading up to the tournament, she says the results didn't go their way but they did prepare well and took steps in the right direction. Says coming to the World Cup, you start from zero. Says the best thing about this group is that they know what they have been trying to achieve in the last 18 months or so. 

And now, the champions New Zealand Women are requested to walk up to the stage to collect their winner's medallions.

The captain of South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt is in for a chat. She says that they had a really good semifinal. Adds that their focus was on resetting and not thinking too far ahead of themselves. Feels that they did not play their best cricket in the final. Reckons that they let New Zealand score a few runs too many but at the halfway mark, they still felt that they could chase it down. Mentions that they got a good Powerplay as a batting side but New Zealand applied the squeeze during the middle phase. Shares that they have got an exciting group and will now go back to the drawing board to reflect what went wrong for them. Ends by thanking the team management for looking after them and the families for their support.

The ICC Hall of Fame inductee Lisa Sthalekar places the T20 World Cup trophy on the podium. First up, the match officials are receiving their medallions. And now, the South Africa Women are called up on the stage to collect their runner-up medals.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Melie Kerr is the Player of the Match and also the Player of the Tournament. She is in tears and says that she is a bit speechless and stoked to get the win after what the team went through. She adds that it was a good wicket and slowed down a little bit. Thinks anything above 140 was a good total and Maddy Green hitting that six in the end was great. Mentions that Brooke Halliday took the pressure from her and played brilliantly. On her hobbling off the field, she says that she wasn't cramping too much while batting, but looked in a bit of discomfort after delivering the first ball of her spell. She mentions that her wrong'uns did the trick. Says it's about having confidence and staying focused. Also adds that you want to be a big match player and want to dismiss the big players and if you get the breakthrough, you can push the opposition on the back foot. Further tells that the team's overall performance and bowling partnerships have been amazing. Feels proud while saying that she has now played international cricket for a while and to be playing against the legends of the sport feels great.

Georgia Plimmer is up next for a flash interview. Says that this has been some ride in the last couple of years for her as an individual. Tells that she is grateful to have the opportunity to bat alongside Suzie Bates. Mentions that she had never played in front of such a crowd before the final and it was a cool atmosphere.

Suzie Bates is in next for a chat. Bates says that the team played with real pride and this is an unbelievable feeling. Shares that they knew that South Africa would come hard at them and it was important for them to take the game on. Mentions that Georgia Plimmer batted with real maturity and she was outstanding this tournament. States that this means everything to them as a team. Lauds Sophie Devine for the way she led the side in the tournament.

Lea Tahuhu says that it is a surreal feeling and she is proud of the team. Tells that she is happy that their hard work came to a realisation. Adds that after the opening win against India, they felt that they could achieve something special. Brooke Halliday joins her and says that she cannot describe the feeling in words right now and she could not be more proud of the team.

Izzy Gaze is up next. She says that it has not sunk in yet and this is an incredible feeling. Tells that the belief was always there and they backed themselves to come out on top. Tells that this win is dedicated to Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates. 

It is now time to hear from some of the Kiwi players. Rosemary Mair is the first one to have a chat. She says that it is an unbelievable feeling and she is proud of the way the team defied the odds. Tells that it was a great effort to pull South Africa back in the middle phase. Shares that in this team, everyone cares about each other and this is a special group.

Earlier in the game, New Zealand Women were put in to bat first. Their openers came out swinging, immediately adopting an aggressive approach to put pressure on the South African bowlers. While Plimmer failed to make a significant impact, Bates, playing in her 334th international match for New Zealand, stepped up with a valuable 32 runs, despite looking somewhat out of touch. As the innings progressed, the pitch began to slow down, making it harder for the ball to come onto the bat. This led to a decrease in boundary-scoring opportunities after the Powerplay, effectively containing the New Zealand batters and preventing them from accelerating the run rate. However, once they found their rhythm, Kerr and Halliday formed a crucial partnership that flourished for the Kiwis. Their combined efforts provided the necessary momentum, enabling New Zealand to surpass the 150-run mark. This total held particular significance as it had never been successfully chased in a World Cup final before. 

From this point, the writing was on the wall. The lower middle order found themselves under immense pressure to salvage the situation. Adding to South Africa's woes, the New Zealand women displayed exceptional fielding, in stark contrast to their opponents' somewhat lackluster efforts earlier in the match.  Amelia Kerr, who had already established herself as the tournament's top wicket-taker, maintained her impressive form with the ball. She delivered a stellar performance, claiming three crucial wickets. Matching Kerr's impact, the young and talented Rosemary Mair replicated her figures. And in the end, the Kiwis effectively ran through the tail, giving absolutely no room to their opponents. 

The chase remained closely contested, but in a final, a target of 158 can feel very much higher due to scoreboard pressure. Every dot ball dramatically increased the asking run rate. In an attempt to accelerate, the well-settled Laura Wolvaardt and the dangerous Marizanne Kapp lost their wickets in quick succession, shifting the momentum and seeing South Africa slip from a comfortable 59/1 to a precarious 97/6, approaching the death overs.

Despite setting a formidable target, New Zealand felt the pressure mounting as they failed to make a breakthrough in the first six overs. The pitch seemed to improve as the game progressed. Fran Jonas finally secured the first, albeit expensive, wicket for the Kiwis. Kerr was then brought into the attack to control the run rate, forming a crucial partnership with Leah Tahuhu that significantly tightened the scoring.

And absolutely contradictory scenes from the other camp as the wait for the Proteas to clinch an ICC trophy across men and women, extends! But to be very fair, they were outplayed and outfoxed by a better opposition on the night of the finale. And yet again, South Africa remain, so close, yet so far to get the silverware in their cabinet. South Africa Women began their pursuit with clear intent, led by captain Laura Wolvaardt's aggressive batting. She set a brisk pace, navigating the Powerplay without losing her wicket. Brits played a supporting role, rotating the strike effectively. By the end of the Powerplay, South Africa had reached 47 without loss, slightly ahead of New Zealand's 43/1 at the same stage.

THE FIREWORKS GLITTER THE SKIES OF DUBAI AS THE KIWIS HAVE DONE IT! RUNNER'S UP IN 2009 AND 2010, THE WHITE FERNS HAVE FINALLY ACHIEVED WHAT THEY DREAMT OF OVER THE YEARS! New Zealand awakens to a glorious dawn as the nation's women's cricket team has etched their name in sporting history! In a stunning turn of events, the White Ferns have clinched victory in the T20 World Cup final, defying all odds and silencing doubters who questioned their form leading up to the tournament. This triumph marks a watershed moment for New Zealand cricket, as the women's team brings home their first-ever T20 World Cup trophy. The entire nation, from Wellington to Auckland, Hamilton to Christchurch, and everywhere in between, will be united in pride and elation over this remarkable achievement.

19.6: Eden Carson to Nonkululeko Mlaba, That's it! New Zealand have done it! The White Ferns are the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup champions. The players gather around their skipper, Sophie Devine in celebrations. Hugs all around in the New Zealand camp. Coming to the delivery, this was fired in by Carson, full and wide on off, Nonkululeko Mlaba fails to squeeze it out on the off side. Heartbreak for the second World Cup in a row for South Africa. 

19.5: Eden Carson to Ayabonga Khaka, Fuller in length, around off, Ayabonga Khaka drills it to long on for one.

19.4: Eden Carson to Nonkululeko Mlaba, Another teaser! In the air, lands right in front of long on! Full and around off, Nonkululeko Mlaba lofts it over mid on for a single.

19.3: Eden Carson to Ayabonga Khaka, Floated up, full and on middle, Khaka gets down the track and lofts it on the bounce to long on.

19.2: Eden Carson to Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tossed up, full and on off, Mlaba swipes it off the inner half of the bat to long on for one.

19.1: Eden Carson to Ayabonga Khaka, Tossed up, full and on off, Khaka bunts it past the bowler for a single.

Who bowls the last over? Eden Carson 3-0-17-1 to bowl the final over.

18.6: Rosemary Mair to Ayabonga Khaka, Full and straight, attacking the stumps, Khaka turns it past mid-wicket and takes a single.

Ayabonga Khaka is the last batter in for South Africa Women.

18.5: Rosemary Mair to Sinalo Jafta, OUT! BOWLED! Third wicket of the night for Mair. New Zealand inch closer. Pace off by Mair, on a fuller length, at the stumps, Sinalo Jafta skips down the track to go down town. Fails to get any bat on it as the ball goes past the inside edge and clatters into the stumps.

18.4: Rosemary Mair to Nonkululeko Mlaba, Short of a good length, around off, Nonkululeko Mlaba pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.3: Rosemary Mair to Sinalo Jafta, DROPPED! Would you believe it? Suzie Bates of all people has put it down. Mair serves it on a length, on middle and leg, Jafta looks to clip it away but closes the bat face early. Gets a leading edge that lobs in front of cover. Bates runs in from cover and Mair runs to her left to settle under it. Bates settles under it eventually but puts it down.

18.2: Rosemary Mair to Nonkululeko Mlaba, On a back of a length, on off, Mlaba pulls it in front of deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

Who walks in next to bat? Nonkululeko Mlaba is in at number 10. The last rites probably being read off now.

18.1: Rosemary Mair to Chloe Tryon, OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! That should do it for New Zealand Women! Chloe Tryon goes and with her South Africa's hopes. Mair bowls the slower one, on a nagging length, on middle, Chloe Tryon advances down the track to go back over the bowler's head. Flat bats it flat and straight down the throat of Maddy Green at long on who makes no mistake.

Who bowls the penultimate over? It will be Rosemary Mair to bowl, she is 3-0-21-1 so far.

17.6: Melie Kerr to Sinalo Jafta, FOUR! A gift from Kerr, low full toss, on off, Jafta whacks it past cover and picks up a boundary. Kerr ends with figures of 4-0-24-3. South Africa Women need 40 runs in 12 balls.

17.5: Melie Kerr to Chloe Tryon, Fuller and slower, on off, Tryon steps out and drills it down to long on for a run.

17.4: Melie Kerr to Sinalo Jafta, Flatter and shorter, on off, Sinalo Jafta goes on the back foot and jabs it to wide long on for a single.

Sinalo Jafta is in at number 9, for the first time in this World Cup.

17.3: Melie Kerr to Annerie Dercksen, OUT! TAKEN! Third catch for Bates. Third wicket for Kerr. New Zealand Women are well on their way. Flatter and fuller, on off, Annerie Dercksen stays leg side of the ball and tries to go with the turn over the off side. There is no turn on offer and this hits Dercksen high on the bat. Spoons it towards cover where Suzie Bates moves to her left and there is almost a collision with Brooke Halliday to her left. She keeps her eyes on the ball all the way through and takes it.

17.2: Melie Kerr to Annerie Dercksen, Floated up, full and outisde off, Annerie Dercksen winds up to go back over the bowler's head but gets an outside edge that gets past the keeper for a couple of runs.

17.1: Melie Kerr to Annerie Dercksen, Kerr tosses it up, full and around off, Annerie Dercksen goes for a swipe across the line but a bit of extra bounce results in the ball going over the bat and beating the keeper to her right for a couple of byes.

16.6: Fran Jonas to Chloe Tryon, Fired in, fuller and around leg, Chloe Tryon gets inside the line for the sweep but misses. No wide signalled by the umpire and Tryon is unhappy with the decision.

16.5: Fran Jonas to Annerie Dercksen, More air on this one by Jonas, full and on off, knocked down to long on for a single by Annerie Dercksen.

16.4: Fran Jonas to Annerie Dercksen, Looped up, full and around off, Annerie Dercksen carves it up and over backward point for a brace.

16.3: Fran Jonas to Annerie Dercksen, Great effort! Flatter and shorter, on middle, Annerie Dercksen thumps it flat and to the right of long on. Maddy Green runs to her right and stretches out her right hand to parry the ball towards the incoming Georgia Plimmer from deep mid-wicket. Plimmer picks up the ball and fires in a throw. Hits the stumps at the bowling end, again. The third umpire is called into action just to be sure but Tryon was safely in. Green looks to be experiencing some cramps after that effort.

16.2: Fran Jonas to Chloe Tryon, Pushed through, short and on middle, Chloe Tryon steps out and whips it to deep mid-wicket where Georgia Plimmer is quick to release the throw and hits the stumps at the bowling end. The ball rolls away wide of the bowler but the batters do not run on the overthrow.

16.1: Fran Jonas to Annerie Dercksen, Just wide! Darted in by Jonas, on a length, on the pads, Annerie Dercksen closes the bat face early and gets as leading edge that evades Bates at extra cover, who ran to her right. A single taken.

15.6: Brooke Halliday to Annerie Dercksen, 100 up for South Africa Women! Short of a good length, tailing back into the batter. Annerie Dercksen rocks back quickly and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for another single. What a sensational over from Halliday, just not only picked up a wicket but also conceded just three singles.

15.5: Brooke Halliday to Chloe Tryon, Slower one, on off, full in length, worked down to long on for just a single.

15.4: Brooke Halliday to Chloe Tryon, Missed out! A waist-high full toss, on middle and leg, Chloe Tryon gets inside the line to help it away but picks out the fielder at short fine leg.

15.3: Brooke Halliday to Chloe Tryon, A full toss but Halliday gets away with it! On the stumps, Chloe Tryon sits down and sweeps it straight to short fine.

15.2: Brooke Halliday to Annerie Dercksen, Slower one and on a length, on middle, Annerie Dercksen flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Annerie Dercksen is in at number 8 for South Africa Women.

15.1: Brooke Halliday to Sune Luus, OUT! TAKEN! Instant impact for Brooke Halliday! A handy cameo with the bat and now, she has delivered with the ball. Halliday takes pace off and goes fuller, on off, Sune Luus stays deep in the crease and shapes up to go inside out over cover. Fails to get the elevation on the shot as this comes off the toe end of the bat. It lobs tamely towards extra cover where Suzie Bates takes a couple of steps behind from where she is standing on the edge of the ring and stays low to take a reverse cup catch.

15.1: Brooke Halliday to Sune Luus, WIDE! A wayward start from Brooke Halliday. Halliday serves it way too short, well wide on off. The second bounce is outside the cut strip but by then, the ball has passed the popping crease. So, it will be a wide and not a no ball.

14.6: Lea Tahuhu to Sune Luus, Short of a good length, angling on the pads, Sune Luus pulls it over the in-field for a single at deep mid-wicket for a single. South Africa Women now need some sort of a heroic from someone as they need 63 off the last 5 overs.

14.5: Lea Tahuhu to Chloe Tryon, Tahuhu bowls to her field, full and right in front of the sticks, Chloe Tryon clips it down the ground to the left of long on for a single.

How's this for a stat? Ian Bishop informs on air that South Africa's top three batters have faced a combined total of 444 deliveries in the tournament while the batters from number 4 to 7 have faced a combined total of 111 balls, which is the least for any team in this World Cup.

14.4: Lea Tahuhu to Sune Luus, On a length, on the stumps, Sune Luus turns it away to the deep mid-wicket region for a single.

14.3: Lea Tahuhu to Chloe Tryon, Lea Tahuhu shortens her length on the stumps. Tryon pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

14.2: Lea Tahuhu to Chloe Tryon, FOUR! Drilled away! A welcome boundary for the Proteas! Pace on, full and on the stumps, Chloe Tryon gets the connection right and lofts it over the bowler's head for a cracking boundary.

14.1: Lea Tahuhu to Chloe Tryon, Tahuhu lands it fuller around off, Chloe Tryon clips it wide of long on and hares back for the second.

13.6: Melie Kerr to Chloe Tryon, Still can't find the boundary! Kerr drops it full again, and in front of the stumps, this is swept away through mid-wicket for a single to end the over.

13.5: Melie Kerr to Chloe Tryon, An appeal for LBW from Kerr but the umpire is unmoved. The keeper though feels that it might be going down leg. However, Sophie Devine sends it upstairs eventually. This is a wrong'un, on a fuller length from Kerr, right in front of the stumps. Chloe Tryon shuffles a bit too across to sweep it away to the leg side but plays it over the line, and wears on her front pad. UltraEdge comes up and shows that it came off the gloves. NOT OUT!

13.4: Melie Kerr to Sune Luus, Very full, outside off, Sune Luus lofts it inside out, over the covers for a single.

13.3: Melie Kerr to Sune Luus, Flat and outside off on a length, Sune Luus hangs back and punches it straight to cover.

13.2: Melie Kerr to Sune Luus, Much fuller outside off, Sune Luus leans on and clips it against the spin to long on and scampers back quickly for the second.

13.1: Melie Kerr to Chloe Tryon, IN THE AIR...Lands safe! Too full, outside off, Tryon sits down and sweeps it over mid-wicket for a single.

12.6: Rosemary Mair to Sune Luus, Good length and on the stumps, Luus makes room and pushes it straight to mid off.

12.5: Rosemary Mair to Chloe Tryon, Drags her length, angling in on the pads, Tryon flicks it to the square leg region for a single.

12.4: Rosemary Mair to Chloe Tryon, Almost dragged it on! On a back of a length, on off, Chloe hangs back and hacks at it. Gets an inside edge that sneaks past the leg stump. Tryon thinks about a single but the keeper is quick to get to the ball.

12.3: Rosemary Mair to Sune Luus, Good length and on the leg stump line, Luus clips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

12.2: Rosemary Mair to Sune Luus, Short of a length and outside off, Luus cuts it past covers and opens her account with a couple of runs.

Sune Luus walks in at number 7.

12.1: Rosemary Mair to Nadine De Klerk, OUT! TAKEN! New Zealand Women are not only in control, but they can feel that it is coming home now! Rosemary Mair bowls a pace-off delivery, rolls her fingers and bowls a conventional off-cutter outside off, De Klerk swings hard at it but ends up getting a thick outside edge that flies straight towards Kerr at short third who takes a simple catch. From 59/1, South Africa have slipped to 77/5. They find themselves in all sorts of trouble.

Chloe Tryon is the new batter.

11.6: Eden Carson to Marizanne Kapp, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! A body blow to South Africa. A long walk back for the dangerous Marizanne Kapp! Eden Carson tosses this up outside off, full in length, Kapp gets down on her knee and sweeps it aerially well in front of the square to the leg side. She does get a good connection but not the distance and finds Plimmer at deep mid-wicket who takes a good catch to her right. Marizanne Kapp is absolutely livid with herself as she walks back.

11.5: Eden Carson to Marizanne Kapp, FOUR! Nicely done by Kapp! Carson bowls it full and spins it in, on middle, Marizanne Kapp sits down on her knee and sweeps it very fine towards deep backward square leg. Rosemary Mair runs and dives to her right and tries to flick it to prevent the ball from reaching the fence but in vain.

11.4: Eden Carson to Nadine De Klerk, Length ball, around off, guided away to short third for a quick single.

11.3: Eden Carson to Nadine De Klerk, An appeal for caught behind by the keeper and she convinces her skipper to take the review. Carson bowls it on a flatter trajectory, sliding down the leg stump line, De Klerk shuffles across, sits down on her knee to pull it away but misses to the keeper to collect. UltraEdge comes up after a long wait and shows no spike. However, the TV umpire wants to be absolutely certain about it, a couple of rolls back and forth and it is deemed as NOT OUT!

The keeper, Izzy Gaze likes it and New Zealand Women have gone upstairs for caught behind. An anxious wait for everyone involved. The third umpire is waiting for the UltraEdge. The UltraEdge shows murmurs when the ball is well away from the bat. No spike when the ball is next to the bat or the glove. NOT OUT!

11.2: Eden Carson to Marizanne Kapp, Short of a good length, over the top of the middle, Marizanne Kapp is quick to hang back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

11.1: Eden Carson to Nadine De Klerk, Too slow, full and on the stumps, Nadine De Klerk sits down and drags it to widish long on for a single.

10.6: Fran Jonas to Marizanne Kapp, Jonas drops it full and fairly outside off, Marizanne Kapp leans ahead and drives it straight to cover. A dot to end the 11th over. Just 6 from it.

10.5: Fran Jonas to Nadine De Klerk, On middle, full in length, nurdled off the inside half of the bat to square leg for a single.

10.4: Fran Jonas to Marizanne Kapp, Pushed through, on the middle and leg, this is worked down to widish long on for a single.

10.3: Fran Jonas to Nadine De Klerk, Good length around off, De Klerk pushes it to long off for a single.

10.2: Fran Jonas to Nadine De Klerk, Stays around the stumps, lands it very full and outside off, sliced away in the air by De Klerk, wide of point for a brace. Eden Carson was not that far away from it.

10.1: Fran Jonas to Marizanne Kapp, Tossed up, full and around off, Marizanne Kapp lofts it inside out over mid off for a single.

Drinks! Well, the Kiwis are right in control of the game. After a rusty Powerplay, they have managed to stem the flow of runs very effectively. Melie Kerr and Lea Tahuhu formed a responsible tandem and have given absolutely nothing off their spells. As of now, South Africa Women need 95 more runs off the last 60 balls. It is indeed a huge mountain to climb from here as they have lost their top order in a flash, including Laura Wolvaardt. The responsibility now lies on the shoulders of Marizanne Kapp who will be joined by Nadine De Klerk.

9.6: Melie Kerr to Anneke Bosch, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Double break for Melie Kerr and New Zealand Women! A massive blow to South Africa. Their star with the bat of the semifinal is gone. Kerr gives the ball air and keeps it outside off, Anneke Bosch walks across to the off side and gets down on one knee to access the leg side. Swipes across the line and fails to connect. The keeper, Izzy Gaze goes up as does Kerr. The umpire is unmoved. Gaze and Kerr convince Sophie Devine to go for the review. The UltraEdge shows a small spike when the ball is next to the bat. New Zealand are delighted to see this on the big screen. The on-field decision will have to be overturned. Two in the over for Kerr. 

Is that out? A review for caught behind taken by New Zealand Women. UltraEdge does show that the ball has nicked off the outside edge. OUT it is!

9.5: Melie Kerr to Anneke Bosch, FOUR! A much-needed boundary for South Africa Women! Kerr drops it flat and full, around off, Anneke Bosch shuffles across off, gets into a good position and slogs it over mid-wicket for a boundary. A boundary after 23 balls.

9.4: Melie Kerr to Anneke Bosch, Looped up, full and at the stumps, Bosch skips down the track and drills it down the deck. Kerr stays low and makes a sharp stop to her right.

9.3: Melie Kerr to Marizanne Kapp, Bowls it on a nagging length, on off, Kapp stays back and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

9.2: Melie Kerr to Marizanne Kapp, Sliding onto the pads, Kapp helps it off her pads to short fine leg.

Marizanne Kapp is in at number 4. 

9.1: Melie Kerr to Laura Wolvaardt, OUT! TAKEN! Laura Wolvaardt succumbs to the pressure of the dots at the other end. She felt the need to break the shackles and has holed out in her attempt. Floated up by Kerr, full and around off, Laura Wolvaardt gets low and tries to go inside out over cover. Fails to get the elevation on it and hits it flat and straight to the fielder at extra cover on the ring. Suzie Bates there makes no mistake as she takes it near her chest. A big wicket for New Zealand. Kerr is hobbling but is giving her all for her side in the final.

8.6: Lea Tahuhu to Anneke Bosch, Five dots on the trot! Tahuhu dishes out the slower delivery, on a length, on middle, Anneke Bosch shapes up to swat it away and inside halves it to the right of the bowler.

8.5: Lea Tahuhu to Anneke Bosch, Make that four dots in a row. Pressure mounting on Bosch. Tahuhu digs it in short, around off. Anneke Bosch feels that this is going to go over her head and lets it go. No signal from the umpire.

8.4: Lea Tahuhu to Anneke Bosch, In the channel on off, on a good length, Anneke Bosch walks across to the off side to scoop it over the keeper but misses. 3 dots in a row.

8.3: Lea Tahuhu to Anneke Bosch, Angling into the right-hander, on a nagging length, Bosch is tucked up for room as she looks to go across the line. Misses and wears it on the thigh.

8.2: Lea Tahuhu to Anneke Bosch, A loud shout for LBW but the umpire shakes her head! Looked to be high and would have gone down leg as well. Oh, the replays show that Bosch got an inside edge there. On a back of a length, on middle, Bosch goes for a swipe across the line. Gets an inside edge back onto the pads.

8.1: Lea Tahuhu to Laura Wolvaardt, On a hard length, on off, Laura Wolvaardt stands tall and pushes it to deep cover for a single.

7.6: Melie Kerr to Laura Wolvaardt, Dishes out the googly, short and at the stumps, Laura Wolvaardt reads it well and rocks back to pull it to deep mid-wicket for one.

7.5: Melie Kerr to Anneke Bosch, Short and on off, Anneke Bosch pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.4: Melie Kerr to Anneke Bosch, Length ball drifting down leg, Bosch gets down on one knee, looks to pull, gets it down to the fine leg region for a brace from the gloves.

7.3: Melie Kerr to Anneke Bosch, An appeal for LBW, but the umpire is not interested! Kerr dishes out a wrong'un, around off. It turns back in a shade as Bosch shuffles across her stumps, looking to work it across, but misses and wears it high on the front pad. Sophie Devine runs towards the bowler to discuss and they eventually decide to not challenge the on-field decision.

7.2: Melie Kerr to Laura Wolvaardt, Googly from Kerr on a length at the stumps, Wolvaardt rocks back and works it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.1: Melie Kerr to Anneke Bosch, Length ball to start with from Kerr down the leg side, Bosch gets low and pulls it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a single.

6.6: Fran Jonas to Anneke Bosch, Floats it up, full and on off, knocked down to long off by Anneke Bosch. Gets off the mark with a single. End of a successful over for Jonas and New Zealand.

Anneke Bosch is in at number 3.

6.5: Fran Jonas to Tazmin Brits, OUT! TAKEN! Fran Jonas breaks through for New Zealand! Jonas stays around the wicket and slows it up, on a nagging length, on middle, Tazmin Brits gives the bowler the charge as she goes for the big shot but fails to get to the pitch of the ball. She still goes through with the shot. Skies it high in the air but only as far as long on where Maddy Green settles under it and takes a reverse cup catch in front of her face. Brits goes for 17 (18). South Africa Women are now 51/1, needing 108 runs from 79 balls.

6.4: Fran Jonas to Tazmin Brits, Good running! Short and sliding on, on middle, Tazmin Brits stays back and tucks it with soft hands in front of deep mid-wicket and Brits comes charging back for the second run.

6.3: Fran Jonas to Laura Wolvaardt, Jonas lands it on a nagging length, on middle, Laura Wolvaardt jabs it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for one.

6.3: Fran Jonas to Laura Wolvaardt, WIDE! Fired down leg by Jonas. Wided.

6.2: Fran Jonas to Laura Wolvaardt, Fuller delivery around off, right in the blockhole, Wolvaardt slices it to backward point.

6.1: Fran Jonas to Laura Wolvaardt, Tossed up, on off, driven straight to cover by Laura Wolvaardt.

Change? Yup, Fran Jonas is back into the attack, 1-0-10-0 so far.

5.6: Rosemary Mair to Tazmin Brits, Pace on and on a hard length, on off, stabbed down on the off side by Brits. At the end of the Powerplay, South Africa Women are 47/0, needing 112 runs from 84 balls.

5.5: Rosemary Mair to Tazmin Brits, FOUR! Up and over! Mair keeps it near the tramline on off, fuller and slower, Tazmin Brits is made to reach out. Stays low and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.

5.4: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, On a back of a length, on middle, Laura Wolvaardt nudges it in front of deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

5.3: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, Swing and a miss! Pace taken off by Mair, around off, on a length, Laura Wolvaardt is through her shot early as she looks to go back over the bowler's head and misses.

5.2: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Crunched! Mair sees the batter back away and follows her with a length delivery, on off, Laura Wolvaardt gets the bottom hand through the shot. Drills it back past the non-striker and it races away for a boundary.

5.1: Rosemary Mair to Tazmin Brits, On a length, on off, Brits steps down the track and swings a bit too hard to go across the line. Loses her shape and shanks it to the right of mid on for a single.

4.6: Eden Carson to Tazmin Brits, Tossed and pushed through, fuller and on the off stump line, Tazmin Brits charges down the track and drives it down the ground to the right of long off for a single to end the over.

4.5: Eden Carson to Tazmin Brits, Flat and short, just outside off, Tazmin Brits is on the back foot and punches it solidly to mid off.

4.4: Eden Carson to Laura Wolvaardt, On middle, almost a half-tracker, Laura Wolvaardt hangs back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for another single.

4.3: Eden Carson to Laura Wolvaardt, Pulls her length a shade on the middle, steered away straight to square leg by Laura Wolvaardt.

4.2: Eden Carson to Tazmin Brits, Fuller and at the stumps, Brits drills it along the ground to long on for a single.

4.1: Eden Carson to Tazmin Brits, Carson is back into the attack and bustles from over the stumps, bowls it flat and full, drifting down leg, Brits misses the sweep as it pings her pad.

3.6: Lea Tahuhu to Laura Wolvaardt, Straight and quick on the stumps, Laura Wolvaardt is cramped up for room this time and tries to flick it across but wears it high on the thigh pad.

3.5: Lea Tahuhu to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! And again! The Proteas skipper on the charge! Short of a good length, on the stumps, Laura Wolvaardt gives herself some room and walks down the track before pulling it over mid-wicket for another boundary.

3.4: Lea Tahuhu to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Superb shot! Lea Tahuhu lands it much fuller and on the middle and leg, Laura Wolvaardt brings her strong bottom hand in play and wrists it through mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

3.3: Lea Tahuhu to Tazmin Brits, Swinging a bit away from the batter, on a good length around off, Brits charges down the track and slices it through covers for a single.

3.2: Lea Tahuhu to Tazmin Brits, Keeps the line of attack on the off-pole, Tazmin Brits pushes it straight to the bowler.

3.1: Lea Tahuhu to Laura Wolvaardt, Short of a good length, nipping away a touch from outside off, Laura Wolvaardt pulls it along the ground to widish long on for a single.

Lea Tahuhu comes into the attack, replacing Eden Carson.

2.6: Fran Jonas to Laura Wolvaardt, Much fuller in length, around off, Laura Wolvaardt lunges ahead on the front foot and drives it to long on for a single to end the over.

2.5: Fran Jonas to Laura Wolvaardt, Arm-ball, keeps low on the pads, full in length, Laura Wolvaardt swipes it to square leg.

2.4: Fran Jonas to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Fantastic shot that! Dropped short, and fairly outside off, Laura Wolvaardt reads the length early, stands tall and just punches it through covers for a boundary.

2.3: Fran Jonas to Laura Wolvaardt, Stays around the wickets, drops a loopy one, on off, Laura Wolvaardt rocks back inside the crease and pulls it to widish long on for a couple of runs.

2.2: Fran Jonas to Tazmin Brits, Drifting in on off, full in length, Tazmin Brits drills it on the front foot to long on for a single.

2.1: Fran Jonas to Tazmin Brits, Fran Jonas bowls it flat and on the pads, Brits nurdles it to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

1.6: Eden Carson to Laura Wolvaardt, Nice and full outside off, Laura Wolvaardt weighs on the front foot and looks to drive through covers but misses.

1.5: Eden Carson to Laura Wolvaardt, Flat and short, on off, Laura Wolvaardt hangs back and pulls it hard towards deep mid-wicket. Melie Kerr makes a good interception there in the deep but looks in a bit of discomfort. Two taken.

1.4: Eden Carson to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! First boundary of the chase for South Africa Women! Drifts it on the leg stump line, on a good length, Laura Wolvaardt jumps on it quickly and pulls it along the ground through square leg for a cracking boundary.

1.3: Eden Carson to Tazmin Brits, Drags her length a bit outside off, Tazmin Brits rocks back and pats it down to long on for a single.

1.2: Eden Carson to Tazmin Brits, Tossed up, full and around off, Tazmin Brits pushes it back to the bowler.

1.1: Eden Carson to Tazmin Brits, Carson bustles from over the stumps, lands a fuller one, on off, Brits leans on and drives it straight to mid off.

It will be spin in the form of Eden Carson from the other end. Melie Kerr is back on the park.

0.6: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, Length-delivery angling over the top of middle, Laura Wolvaardt stands tall and flat-bats it to mid on. 7 runs off the first over.

0.6: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, WIDE! Another one! Oh, dear! A scratchy start this. Down leg on a length. Wided.

0.5: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, On the length, around off, driven straight to the fielder at mid off.

0.5: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, WIDE! Shaping way down leg, on a fuller length. Laura Wolvaardt misses to clip it away and the keeper collects it sharply behind the pegs. The Kiwi fielders look a bit disappointed as they think it brushed Laura's pad.

0.4: Rosemary Mair to Tazmin Brits, Length ball, outside off, Brits slices it over cover-point. The ball rolls towards the fence but slows down and Eden Carson who chases the ball from the point region manages to cut it off. Saves one for her side.

0.4: Rosemary Mair to Tazmin Brits, WIDE! Sliding down the leg side on a good length, Tazmin Brits misses to glance it away and the keeper dives to her left to collect it behind the wickets. Wide called.

0.3: Rosemary Mair to Tazmin Brits, An appeal for LBW, but just for one second. Attacks the stumps does Mair, on a length, Tazmin Brits is cramped for room and looks to work across but wears it on the pads. Height seemed to be the factor here.

0.2: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, Good length, around off, punched away off the back foot to cover-point for a single. South Africa Women are underway in the chase!

0.1: Rosemary Mair to Laura Wolvaardt, Mair starts from over the stumps, on a good length, Laura Wolvaardt pulls it without any timing to mid-wicket.

Welcome back for South Africa's reply. As per Natalie Germanos on air, Melie Kerr has not taken the field just yet. Whether it is due to the fatigue of her knock or any other issue, remains to be seen. Hannah Rowe has come on as a substitute for Kerr. It will be Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits to open the innings for South Africa. Rosemary Mair will start with the new ball for New Zealand. Away we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, New Zealand Women will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark. No side has ever successfully chased a 150-plus score in the final of the Women's T20 World Cup, highlighting the monumental task that lies ahead for South Africa. The wicket is on the drier side with the balls gripping in the surface for the slower bowlers but as has been the trend this tournament in Dubai, the ball comes onto the bat nicely under lights. Will that be the case tonight as well? It remains to be seen. A good Powerplay will put South Africa in good stead for the rest of the chase while New Zealand will look to take this momentum into their bowling effort. Back in a bit for the chase.

Brooke Halliday is in for a chat. She says it was good to bat with Melie Kerr and also says it was good to bat with such a good crowd. Tells they batted well but also mentions that the wicket was a bit sticky and slow in nature. Adds they wanted to be proactive and keep rotating the strike. Also adds that it was getting lower and slower and thinks their spinners will come into play. Is hopeful that they will defend this total.

Once the field restrictions were lifted, South Africa managed to tighten the screws with their spinners and Nadine De Klerk leading the charge. During that middle phase, the White Ferns found it difficult to score freely, going a staggering 49 balls without hitting a boundary. Melie Kerr struggled to break free under pressure, but then Brooke Halliday stepped up to take the pressure off her.  Halliday's 38 off 28 set the White Ferns up nicely for the back end of their innings. Kerr's couple of lusty blows towards the end and Maddy Green's 12 off 6 propelled them to 158.

New Zealand Women finish on a high! They will take this total on any day of the week, especially on the night of the final. After struggling to get out of the rut in the middle phase, they managed to regain the lost ground. The White Ferns managed 73 runs in the last 6 overs to end up with 158 on the board. Earlier in the innings, after being put into bat, Georgia Plimmer made her intentions clear right from the start with a couple of boundaries in the first over. Although she couldn't kick on, Suzie Bates maintained the tempo during the Powerplay.

19.6: Ayabonga Khaka to Maddy Green, IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Would you believe it? South Africa Women have been pretty sloppy in the field even by their standards. Ayabonga Khaka bowls it fuller and at the stumps, in the slot of the batter, Green clears her front foot to create room, and looks to tonk it downtown, but ends up mistiming it high in the air. It swirls over the long on region where Sune Luus scoots to her left and settles well underneath it but eventually puts it down and allows two runs to be taken.

19.5: Ayabonga Khaka to Maddy Green, SIX! BANG! What a shot! Ayabonga Khaka misses the yorker and ends up slipping in a juicy full toss, around off, there to be it. Maddy Green reads the ball correctly, and quickly transfers the weight on the back foot and drags it aerially and behind deep mid-wicket for a six.

19.4: Ayabonga Khaka to Maddy Green, A low full toss, shaping into the batter, Maddy Green lofts it over mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 150 up for New Zealand Women!

19.3: Ayabonga Khaka to Izzy Gaze, Too full, and outside off, drilled to covers for a quick single.

19.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Maddy Green, Fuller and at the stumps, Green steps down the track and drills it along the ground to widish long on for a single.

19.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Maddy Green, WIDE! Fuller delivery drifting down the leg side, Green misses to glance it away and the keeper, Sinalo Jafta, too, doesn't manage to collect the ball cleanly. It rolls to deep fine and the fielder is quick to chase the ball before the ropes. Two taken.

19.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Izzy Gaze, A good yorker on the middle, Izzy Gaze shuffles across and jams it to short third for a single.

Where are South Africa on the over rate? With four overs to go, they were 4 four minutes behind. And the timer now shows that they are 9 minutes behind. They will be allowed only 3 fielders outside the circle for the final over. It will be Ayabonga Khaka to bowl the last over.

18.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Izzy Gaze, Tossed up, full at the stumps, Izzy Gaze steps down the track and drives it down to wide long off for a single.

Izzy Gaze walks in at number 7.

18.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! 50TH T20I WICKET FOR MLABA. Nonkululeko Mlaba keeps the line of attack on the stumps and drags her length on the off and middle channel, Melie Kerr is cramped a bit for room, she hangs back and goes for a pull shot over the leg side. But it is too close to play that shot and hence, she doesn't generate much power on it and it goes only as far as Tazmin Brits stationed at deep mid-wicket. Melie Kerr departs on a valiant 43.

18.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, Dropped fuller and on middle, Melie Kerr steps down the track and lofts it over the bowler for a couple of runs.

18.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, Dragged length, on stumps, cut away but straight to point.

18.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, FOUR! Kerr on the charge! Mlaba drops it flat and full outside off, Melie Kerr dances down the track and lofts it inside out over covers for another boundary. Into her 40s now is Kerr. 

18.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, FOUR! Finds the gap! A bit short in length, around off, Melie Kerr shuffles outside off and pulls it behind square for a boundary at deep backward square leg.

17.6: Chloe Tryon to Melie Kerr, Darted in, short and on middle, Kerr goes on the back foot to pull it down to deep mid-wicket. A single taken. A wicket and 6 runs off the over. Chloe Tryon ends with figures of 4-0-22-1. Tryon did not concede a boundary in her spell.

17.5: Chloe Tryon to Maddy Green, Length ball around fhe off stump, Green steps down the track and looks to work it away on the leg side, but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears on the front pad. The ball deflects off her pads and goes to the cover region. A quick leg bye taken.

17.4: Chloe Tryon to Melie Kerr, Much fuller on the stumps, drilled down the ground for a single by Kerr.

17.3: Chloe Tryon to Maddy Green, Arm ball from Tryon on a good length, and at the pads, Green hangs back, and nudges it to short fine and calls for a quick single. A Direct Hit at the striker's end, but Kerr is safely home as confirmed by the TV Umpire.

Maddy Green is the new batter.

17.2: Chloe Tryon to Brooke Halliday, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Chloe Tryon provides the breakthrough the Proteas were looking! New Zealand Women are 4 down now as Brooke Halliday departs! Tryon stays around the stumps, and flattens the trajectory, on a good length, on the stumps. It skids through the surface and comes quickly to the batter. Brooke Halliday sits on her knee and prepares to slog it behind deep square leg but doesn't quite get the timing correct. Gets the elevation but not the distance and the ball travels towards Anneke Bosch who runs to her left and takes a good running catch. The 57-run stand is broken. Brooke Halliday goes for 38 (28).

17.1: Chloe Tryon to Brooke Halliday, Too slow, on the stumps, Brooke Halliday squats at it, gets her bat under the ball and lofts it over the bowler's head. The ball lands between the converging long on and long off fielders. Two taken.

16.6: Marizanne Kapp to Brooke Halliday, Angling into the batter, on a length, Brooke Halliday shapes up and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Marizanne Kapp ends her quota of 4 overs and goes wicketless. 

16.5: Marizanne Kapp to Brooke Halliday, A well-directed yorker, dips on the batter, outside leg, Brooke Halliday is a bit late to jam her bat down and the ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and pad to the keeper.

16.4: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, Length again, on the stumps, this is dragged away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.3: Marizanne Kapp to Brooke Halliday, Length ball at the stumps, Halliday mistimes the slog from the inner half of her blade to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.2: Marizanne Kapp to Brooke Halliday, A length ball around off, Brooke Halliday drives it through covers for a couple of runs. Chloe Tryon from long off does the hard yards running to her right and intercepts the ball. Keeps it to two.

16.1: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, No harm done! At 110.3 kph, outside off and full, Kerr slices it over the in-field towards the deep extra cover for single. 50-run stand comes up between the two.

16.1: Marizanne Kapp to Brooke Halliday, Kapp runs from around the stumps and bowls a fuller one, angling in, Halliday swipes it across the line and hits it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Uh, oh! Marizanne Kapp with her back leg, has cut the return crease. Called a NO BALL. A FREE HIT to follow.

South Africa Women need to get a wrigigle on here. They are 4 minutes behind on the over rate. Marizanne Kapp (3-0-17-0) comes back on for her last over. 

15.6: Ayabonga Khaka to Brooke Halliday, Too full, on stumps, Halliday sweeps it to deep square leg for another single. A good over for New Zealand Women again, 7 runs from it.

15.5: Ayabonga Khaka to Brooke Halliday, Full around off, Halliday gives herself some width and drives it wide of long off for a couple of runs.

15.4: Ayabonga Khaka to Melie Kerr, A hard chance, put down! A leg-cutter on the stumps, Melie Kerr charges down the track and hits it flatly towards the bowler. Ayabonga Khaka sticks her right hand out in the way, but parries the ball towards long off for a single.

15.3: Ayabonga Khaka to Brooke Halliday, A low full toss on the pads, clipped away to deep mid-wicket for a single by Halliday.

15.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Melie Kerr, A leg-cutter on the leg stump, Kerr skips down the track and flicks it nicely along the ground to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

15.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Brooke Halliday, Khaka slips in a full toss outside off, Brooke Halliday slashes it with a flat-bat and hits it over the leaping bowler for a single to the right of long on.

Change? Yup, Ayabonga Khaka is back into the attack.

14.6: Nadine De Klerk to Melie Kerr, Back-of-the-hand slower delivery from Nadine, on a nagging length, around off, Melie Kerr hangs back and punches it well but it goes straight to extra cover. Good last couple of overs for New Zealand Women. 25 runs off the last 2 overs.

14.5: Nadine De Klerk to Melie Kerr, FOUR! Just over. Kerr makes the Free Hit count. De Klerk keeps it full and on off, Kerr swings through the line. Does not quite get hold of it but manages to clear the leaping mid off fielder for four more runs.

14.5: Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, NO BALL! Slower and fuller, on the pads, Brooke Halliday clips it to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single. This was bowled from wide of the crease by De Klerk and while doing so, her trailing leg cut the return crease. Free Hit coming up.

14.4: Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, FOUR! Brooke Halliday finds the gap she was looking for on the previous ball! Short and wide on off, Brooke Halliday reaches out and cuts it between short third and backward point for a boundary. The boundaries are starting to flow now for New Zealand Women.

14.3: Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, Outside off on a good length, Halliday shuffles outside leg to create room for a cut shot but has to really reach out, bends and drives it straight to point.

14.2: Nadine De Klerk to Melie Kerr, Loopy slower delivery, on off, Melie Kerr drives it to deep cover and gets to the other end. The 100 comes up for New Zealand Women.

14.1: Nadine De Klerk to Melie Kerr, Full and straight, at the stumps, Melie Kerr gets down on one knee and swats it to the left of deep square leg where Anneke Bosch dives to her left and relays the throw to the fielder to her left. Good effort. Two runs taken.

Change in bowling? Or will Mlaba continue? Nope, Nadine De Klerk is brought back into the attack, she is 1-0-4-1 so far.

13.6: Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, FOUR! Two in two for Brooke Halliday but this is sloppy from Nadine De Klerk. Luus slows it up and keeps it fuller, at the stumps, Brooke Halliday clears her front leg and whacks it to the left of long on where Nadine De Klerk does get there in time but fails to judge the bounce. The ball bounces and gets past her left thigh before trickling into the fence.

13.5: Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, FOUR! Finally, a boundary for New Zealand. A boundary after 49 balls. Luus drifts it in from around the wicket, on a length, Brooke Halliday uses the angle and slogs it to the left of deep mid-wicket. Tazmin Brits gets around in the deep and tumbles to her left but the ball gets past her for a boundary.

13.4: Sune Luus to Melie Kerr, Flatter and shorter, on off, Melie Kerr swats it off the inner half of the bat to long on and picks up a single.

13.3: Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Offers flight does Luus, on middle, on a length, Brooke Halliday gets down the track and chips it back over the bowler's head for a run.

13.2: Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Very full by Luus from around the wicket, Brooke Halliday shapes up for the reverse but fails to get the elevation. Hits it along the ground but straight to backward point.

13.1: Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Looped up by Luus, drifting in, on middle and leg, on a length, Brooke Halliday uses her feet and tucks it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs.

Change? Nope, Sune Luus to continue, she is 1-0-5-0 so far.

12.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Brooke Halliday, Slower through the air, fuller and on off, Brooke Halliday slogs it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for another single.

12.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, Sliding on with the arm, short and on off, Kerr nudges it in front of deep mid-wicket and will have to be content with just a single. 43 balls since the last boundary for New Zealand Women.

12.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Brooke Halliday, Looped up, full and on middle, Brooke Halliday stays put and swats it in front of deep mid-wicket. Hits it aerially and wants to come back for the second but the deep mid-wicket fielder swoops in and keeps it down to one.

12.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Brooke Halliday, Drops it short does Mlaba, on off, Brooke Halliday makes room for herself and cuts it between point and cover-point. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence. Brits gives it a chase and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

12.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, Darted in Mlaba, on a nagging length, at the stumps, Kerr rocks back and punches it to long on for one.

Laura Wolvaardt has been very sharp in rotating her bowlers to prevent the Kiwi batters from settling in. The boundaries have totally dried up since the end of the Powerplay. The pitch is slow, the ball is sticking to the surface and not easily coming onto the bat. 

12.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, Pushed through by Mlaba, on a nagging length, Kerr can only push it back to the bowler.

11.6: Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Tossed up, full and on the pads, Brooke Halliday brooms it straight to short fine leg.

11.5: Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Slows it up does Luus, on a length, on middle and leg, Brooke Halliday goes for the reverse but gets done in by the slowness of the delivery. Gets a bit of a top edge that balloons and drops well wide of short third. Two runs taken as Nonkululeko Mlaba cuts it off.

11.4: Sune Luus to Melie Kerr, Flatter and shorter, on off, Kerr gets down the track and knocks it down to long on for a single.

11.3: Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, This slides on from around the wicket, at the stumps, on a nagging length, Brooke Halliday swipes it through mid-wicket and takes the single.

11.2: Sune Luus to Melie Kerr, Luus spots the batter step out and drags the length back, on middle and leg, Melie tucks it in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

11.1: Sune Luus to Melie Kerr, Luus comes into the attack and starts off with a flighted delivery, on off, Melie Kerr drills it hard down the ground but Luus stays low to make the stop on her follow through.

10.6: Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, From around the wicket to the left-hander, on a length, near the tramline on off, Brooke Halliday reaches out and toe-ends the shot to point. End of a successful over for Nadine and South Africa.

10.5: Nadine De Klerk to Melie Kerr, De Klerk bowls it on the stumps, on a good length, Melie Kerr tucks it through widish mid on for a quick single.

10.4: Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, Nadine takes pace off but gets the line wrong, on a fuller length, on the pads, Brooke Halliday tickles it fine and gets it past short fine leg. The short fine leg fielder gives it chase and mops it up. Three runs taken.

10.3: Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, On a back of a length, on off, Brooke Halliday cuts it well but straight to backward point.

Brooke Halliday is the new batter in at number 5 for New Zealand Women.

10.2: Nadine De Klerk to Sophie Devine, A loud shout for LBW but from Nadine De Klerk alone! Laura Wolvaardt has a word with Nadine and takes the review with 1 second left on the timer. This skids through, on a nagging length, on middle, Sophie Devine shapes up to pull it away but gets rushed in her shot. Gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the back leg. The UltraEdge shows no bat but it is three reds on Ball Tracking with the ball hitting the leg stump. Would you believe it? Credit should go to Nadine. She was pretty confident and convinced her skipper to send it upstairs. South Africa strike in the first over after the break and get the prized scalp of Devine. She departs on 6 (10).

10.1: Nadine De Klerk to Sophie Devine, Nadine bowls it on a good length, on off, Sophie Devine eases the drive back to the bowler.

Drinks break! This has been a cagey start to the final. The White Ferns, having lost Suzie Bates are in a rebuilding phase. South Africa will look to apply the squeeze here, with Sophie Devine still relatively new at the crease and Melie Kerr yet to fully come to terms with the surface. The ball has been holding on the surface and therefore, New Zealand will need to carefully assess their target on this pitch and avoid aiming too high while South Africa who have already given away 9 runs in extras, will have to tighten up in that aspect. A change in bowling as well, Nadine De Klerk replaces Marizanne Kapp.

9.6: Chloe Tryon to Sophie Devine, Too slow at 78.4 kph, on the middle, Sophie Devine goes deep inside the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single to end the over.

9.5: Chloe Tryon to Melie Kerr, Pulls her length back a bit, Melie Kerr hangs back and flat-bats it to long on for another run.

9.4: Chloe Tryon to Sophie Devine, Full, pushed through on middle and leg, Sophie Devine drills it to left of long on for a single.

9.4: Chloe Tryon to Sophie Devine, WIDE! Uh, oh! Another extra! Very full, but down the leg side. Devine misses to sweep and the keeper collects it sharply. Wide given.

9.3: Chloe Tryon to Melie Kerr, Tossed up, full and on the stumps, drilled down the ground by Kerr to the left of long on for a single.

9.2: Chloe Tryon to Sophie Devine, Drags her length, on the top of the stumps, Devine shuffles outside leg and drills it past the right of the diving Tryon for a single straight down the ground.

9.1: Chloe Tryon to Sophie Devine, Drifts it way down leg does Tryon, on a fuller length, Sophie Devine sweeps it off the inner half of the bat to deep fine for a couple of runs.

8.6: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, Pace off, outside off, full in length, Melie Kerr steps down the track to drag it to the leg side but the ball almost dies off the surface and stays low. Kerr swings but plays over the line and the ball dribbles back to the keeper.

8.6: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, WIDE! Sprays it down the leg side on a good length. Kerr doesn't connect the flick shot. Wide called.

8.5: Marizanne Kapp to Sophie Devine, Varies her pace does Kapp, at almost 100 kph, on a good length, over the top of off, Sophie Devine waits for the ball to work it across but it bounces a bit more off the deck, hits her thigh pad and goes to the left of the keeper for a leg bye.

8.4: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, Half-tracker, fractionally outside off, Melie Kerr stands tall and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

8.3: Marizanne Kapp to Sophie Devine, Kapp serves it full and tails into the batter, Sophie Devine tilts ahead and drives it along the ground to long on for another single.

8.2: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, Length ball, on the stumps, Kerr charges down the track again, and works it gently towards long on for an easy single.

8.1: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, Attacks the body on a length, Melie Kerr walks a couple of steps down to work it across, but plays over the line of the ball and wears it high on the thigh pad. 

7.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Sophie Devine, Tossed up a bit outside off, Devine pushes it to the left of the bowler to end the over. A successful one for the Proteas Women.

7.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Sophie Devine, Pushed through, full and on off, tapped away to point by Devine.

7.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Sophie Devine, Oh dear! South Africa Women cannot afford to bowl too many extras! Down leg again, flat and full, Sophie Devine misses to sweep and the keeper too, fails to collect the ball. It rolls towards the deep fine region and they cross for a couple.

7.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Sophie Devine, WIDE! Drifting down leg, on a length. Wide called.

The captain of New Zealand, Sophie Devine walks out to bat now.

7.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Suzie Bates, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Excellent pace variation at display! Nonkululeko Mlaba strikes and provides a very crucial breakthrough for the Proteas Women! Nonkululeko Mlaba holds her line and bustles from around the stumps. She quickens the pace and flattens the trajectory but keeps the line of attack on the stumps, Suzie Bates tries to get innovative as she walks across to the off side to access the area behind square on the leg side with a sweep. She shuffles a bit too across to execute that shot. As a result, misses the connection and the ball crashes into the leg stump. Suzie Bates departs on a well-made 32.

7.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Suzie Bates, Flat and drifting into the batter, on a length, Suzie Bates creates room by shuffling across, exposes the stumps to cut it away but misses.

7.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, Pitched fuller, outside off, Melie Kerr brings the broom out again and sweeps it along the ground to deep square leg for an easy single.

7.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, WIDE! She will have to reload that one again! Too full, tossed and pushed through outside leg, Melie Kerr misses to sweep it away. Wided.

7.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Suzie Bates, Angling on the pads, on a fullish length, Bates clears her front foot and flicks it over mid-wicket for a single.

6.6: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, 50 up for New Zealand Women! Tryon cramps Bates for room, on a length, drifting into the body, Suzie Bates tucks it to the leg side off the back foot and straightaway calls for the single. The bowler and the keeper converge to the ball but the batters are quick enough to cross over.

6.5: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, This is excellent running! Slows it up does Chloe Tryon, on a length, Suzie Bates goes back and across and pulls it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple.

6.4: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, Cheeky! Flat and full, closer to the off-pole, Suzie Bates uses the depth of the crease and cuts it very late just past the wicket-keeper for a couple of runs.

6.3: Chloe Tryon to Melie Kerr, Outside off on a good length, Kerr stays in the crease and cuts it past cover-point for a single.

6.2: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, Much fuller on the stumps, Suzie Bates reverse sweeps it wide of short third for a quick single. Annerie Dercksen from short third runs towards the ball, slides and intercepts it, keeping it down to one.

6.1: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, Tryon bowls it short and spins it away from outside off, Suzie Bates hangs back and pulls it straight to mid-wicket off the toe end.

5.6: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Melie Kerr, Too full and flat on the stumps, Kerr shovels it straight to mid off. End of the Powerplay, New Zealand Women are 43/1.

5.5: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Suzie Bates, Tossed up full outside off, Suzie Bates drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.4: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Suzie Bates, FOUR! Nice shot! Mlaba bowls it full again, outside leg, Suzie Bates sits down and sweeps it neatly past square leg for a boundary.

5.3: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Suzie Bates, This one turns prodigiously! Full and sharply spinning away from off, Suzie Bates misses to sweep it away.

5.2: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Suzie Bates, Just short! Agonizingly close for South Africa Women! Nonkululeko Mlaba bowls it full and on off, Suzie Bates steps down the pitch to work it across but closes the bat early and gets a leading edge that lands short of the cover-point fielder.

5.1: Nonkululeko Mlaba to Suzie Bates, Bowls it on a good length, around off, Suzie Bates hangs back in the crease and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

It will be spin from both ends as Nonkululeko Mlaba comes on to bowl.

4.6: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, Bowls it flat and very wide of off seeing Bates shuffling across off, Suzie Bates sits down on her knee and drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a single to end the over. A tidy start by Tryon. Just 2 runs off it.

4.5: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, Drops it short again does Chloe, on off, Suzie cuts it hard but picks out the fielder at cover-point.

4.4: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, This skids through, short and on off, Bates shanks her shot as she swipes across the line. It goes only as far as backward square leg.

4.3: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, Oh, that could have ended badly for Bates! Floated up by Tryon, full and on off, Bates skips down the track and turns it in front of square leg. She sets off for the run and is halfway down the track. Gets sent back by Kerr and luckily for her, the fielder there fails to gather it on the first attempt. That delay allows Bates to get back in.

4.2: Chloe Tryon to Suzie Bates, Sees the batter back away and follows her, on a nagging length, Bates fails to get it away and wears it on the pads.

4.1: Chloe Tryon to Melie Kerr, Tryon pushes it through first up, on a nagging length, on middle, Kerr uses the depth of the crease and jabs it in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Change? Or will Kapp get her third over? She won't. Chloe Tryon replaces Marizanne Kapp.

3.6: Ayabonga Khaka to Suzie Bates, FOUR! Good proactive batting by Bates! Khaka bowls it on a back of a length, outside off, Bates premeditates as she walks across to the off side. Stays deep in the crease and flat bats it to the right of mid on and beats Tazmin Brits at deep mid-wicket to her left for a boundary.

3.5: Ayabonga Khaka to Suzie Bates, Missed out! Short and wide on off, there to be hit, Bates stands tall and slaps it hard but it goes straight to Laura Wolvaardt at extra cover.

3.4: Ayabonga Khaka to Suzie Bates, Misfield! Angling into the right-hander, on a length, on the pads, Bates works it away off her pads towards short fine leg where Chloe Tryon slides to her left but the ball gets past her, allowing a second run.

3.3: Ayabonga Khaka to Melie Kerr, A tighter line by Khaka, swinging back into the right-hander, on off, Kerr clips it past mid-wicket and picks up a single.

3.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Melie Kerr, Shaping into the batter on the pads, Melie Kerr flicks it neatly along the ground, towards the deep backward square leg region for a couple of runs.

3.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Suzie Bates, Khaka bowls it full and on off, Bates turns it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

2.6: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, Shaping away a bit, full and wide on off, Melie Kerr reaches out for the drive and hits it well but can't get it past the fielder at cover.

2.5: Marizanne Kapp to Melie Kerr, Dragged back onto the stumps but it will not matter as it was a Free Hit! Kapp keeps it full and on off, Kerr shapes up to go across the line. Gets it off the inner half of the bat and it trickles back onto the stumps. Kerr fails to make the Free Hit count.

2.5: Marizanne Kapp to Suzie Bates, NO BALL! Miscued again by Bates! Kapp serves it on a length, on off, Suzie Bates steps out to go over the top on the off side and slices her shot. Gets enough bat on it to clear the back-tracking cover fielder. A single taken. Kapp has overstepped. Free Hit coming up.

2.4: Marizanne Kapp to Suzie Bates, Not in control but Bates gets away with it! Slightly wide on off, on a short of a length, Bates flays at the delivery and gets it off the outer half of the bat. The ball goes on the bounce and beats the diving cover-point fielder to her left for a couple of runs.

2.3: Marizanne Kapp to Suzie Bates, Fuller this time, on off and middle, Suzie Bates smashes it down the deck. Kapp does well to stick out her right boot and the ball deflects off her boot and rolls in front of mid on.

2.2: Marizanne Kapp to Suzie Bates, On a length, around off, Suzie Bates drills it hard but picks out the fielder at cover.

2.1: Marizanne Kapp to Suzie Bates, Oh, it might have been interesting had the throw hit! Kapp attacks the stumps, on a length, Suzie Bates flicks it in front of mid-wicket. Kerr sets off for the single but quickly gets sent back by Bates. Laura Wolvaardt picks the ball up and has a shy at the bowling end. She fails to hit the stumps. It could have been close had the throw been on target.

1.6: Ayabonga Khaka to Melie Kerr, FOUR! Kerr is up and running! Khaka goes short but this sits up nicely for the batter. Melie Kerr waits on the back foot and hammers the pull well in front of square on the leg side, beating deep square leg to her left for a boundary.

Melie Kerr walks out to bat at number 3.

1.5: Ayabonga Khaka to Georgia Plimmer, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Ayabonga Khaka and South Africa Women fight back! Khaka lands it on a length, swinging back into the right-hander, on a length, on middle and leg, Georgia Plimmer gets down the track again to go back over the bowler's head but the ball comes right off the toe end of the bat. Skies it high in the air and it goes only as far as long on where Sune Luus runs in and takes a safe catch. New Zealand Women lose their first wicket. They are now 16/1 after 1.5 overs.

1.4: Ayabonga Khaka to Suzie Bates, Full and slanting in, on the pads, Suzie Bates clips it wide of mid on and crosses over.

1.3: Ayabonga Khaka to Georgia Plimmer, On a length, shaping in, on middle and leg, Georgia Plimmer wrists it wide of mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

1.2: Ayabonga Khaka to Suzie Bates, On a good length but on the pads, Suzie Bates nudges it to deep backward square leg and takes a single.

1.1: Ayabonga Khaka to Suzie Bates, FOUR! Bates gives the charge now! Khaka starts off on a hard length, on middle, Suzie Bates shimmies down the track and stays leg side of the ball. Swats it aerially towards deep mid-wicket where Tazmin Brits covers good ground and slides to her left. The ball parries off her hand, rolls away from her and trickles into the fence.

Who bowls the second over? Pace from the other end as well. Ayabonga Khaka to share the attack.

0.6: Marizanne Kapp to Georgia Plimmer, FOUR! Short and hammered! A positive start for New Zealand. 9 runs off the first over. Kapp digs it in short but does not get it high enough to trouble the batter, on middle. Georgia Plimmer hangs back and rolls her wrists on the ball to pull it all along the ground. Hits it to the right of deep square leg for the second boundary of the over.

0.5: Marizanne Kapp to Georgia Plimmer, Hurls it full now does Kapp, on off, Georgia Plimmer leans on it and eases the drive to mid off.

0.4: Marizanne Kapp to Georgia Plimmer, FOUR! Good use of the feet! Plimmer with the first boundary of the final. Kapp lands it on a short of a length, on off, Georgia Plimmer gives the bowler the charge and swipes it up and over mid-wicket for a boundary.

0.3: Marizanne Kapp to Georgia Plimmer, Beaten again, this time on the inside edge! Kapp gets the ball to nip back in slightly, on a back of a length, on off, Georgia Plimmer is tucked up for room as she looks to punch it away on the off side. The ball comes back in off the deck to beat her on the inside edge.

0.2: Marizanne Kapp to Georgia Plimmer, Swing and a miss! Kapp serves it on a length, outside off, Georgia Plimmer skips down the track to negate the movement as she looks to go over the top on the off side. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

0.1: Marizanne Kapp to Suzie Bates, Bates and New Zealand are underway! At 109.8 kph from over the wicket, Kapp finds some away shape first up, on a good length, in the channel on off, Suzie Bates waits on it and cuts it late to the left of backward point for a single.

Done and dusted with the pre-match formalities as 'God Defend New Zealand' and 'Nkosi Sikelel Afrika' are proudly sung by the respective players of both nations. It is now time for the action to get underway at the DICS! It is a FULL HOUSE in Dubai as the two umpires walk out to the middle. The players of South Africa Women scatter out in the field after a long discussion in the team huddle near the ropes. Out walk the two openers of New Zealand Women - Suzie Bates, representing New Zealand in her 334th international game. She will be partnered by the young Georgia Plimmer. And it will be Marizanne Kapp to kick off the proceedings of the Grand Finale. And, here we go...

The flags of the two nations unfurl at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. And now, the two set of players follow the match officials and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be New Zealand's first, followed by the national anthem of South Africa.

Just a few moments before the start of the finale then. But before that, the ICC Hall of Fame inductees, Sir Alastair Cook and Neetu David walk out on the carpet with the glittering silverware and place it on the pedestal for the photo-ops.

PITCH REPORT - Mpumelelo Mbangwa gives us a lowdown on the conditions ahead of the final. He notes that the noise around the stadium is starting to build, and it's not too muggy tonight. Mbangwa points out that we're positioned in the centre, with the square boundaries measuring 61 and 60 meters, while the straight hit will be longer - 73 meters. Lisa Sthalekar joins him and says she isn’t surprised by South Africa’s decision to bowl first. Adds that the wicket looks to be on the drier side. She explains that the ball tends to come onto the bat quicker under the lights here in Dubai, which will benefit batters later on. Sthalekar reckons that New Zealand must keep that in mind and go hard with the bat. She also mentions that the average score is 127, but considering it’s the final, a target around 140 could be very competitive.

The captain of New Zealand Women, Sophie Devine says they would have batted first so it has worked well for both teams. Thinks this looks like a good surface and they want to put good runs on the board. Adds that it is not just another game, it is more important than every other game. Is delighted to see the crowd and they are just trying to soak it all in. Informs they are going with the same side. Is also delighted to see the men's team doing exceptionally well in India, winning a Test after a long while. Ends by saying they certainly take inspiration from them and from what they are capable to do.

The captain of South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt says that bowling first has worked really well for them throughout the tournament and they want to stick to that. Feels that it is massive for them as a team to be in this position and need to work really hard here to get the result. Informs that they are going unchanged for this game.

South Africa Women (Playing XI) - Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine De Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka.

New Zealand Women (Playing XI) - Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Melie Kerr, Sophie Devine (C), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Gaze (WK), Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas.

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in the favour of South Africa Women and Laura Wolvaardt elects to BOWL first.