The wait couldn't have been longer for the white ferns. They were in the final in 2010 and came second to Australia and there were 2 players who were distraught on coming second Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates.
14 years since they have waited and waited for this opportunity and truly have left their impressions in this World Cup. Sophie Devine's knock of 57 against India set the tone for the team and in the semi final against West Indies the last over by Suzie Bates out of nowhere will surely be talked about for a long time
Coming into the World Cup the white ferns were on a 10-match losing streak and a lot of their players were scratchy at best, but as has been the case with their men's team as well they go big in World Cups. The legs started pumping, runs coming from Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr weaving the magic with the ball throughout the tournament, Brooke Halliday and Rosemary Mair bursting onto the scene everything started to work out well for the team, and then came to the last over drama in the semi-final against west indies where Suzie Bates was summoned to bowl the last over, her last over in T20 world cup game came way back in 2016, but it was meant to be the fairy tale for the two of the biggest names in the cricket world.
The young generation watches on as their heroes lift the world cup, seeding the seeds of glory and giving a fitting send off to Sophie Devine as this was her last world cup as captain.
For South Africa it's been the same story as before, faltering in the chase despite being in a good position. The men's team did it in June earlier this year and the proteas women would have liked not to follow suit but it wasn't to be this time. They played really good cricket and should be mighty proud of themselves, They knocked out ever-invincible Australia from the tournament and have been a dominant force throughout the tournament. They went close to the trophy but as they say it wasn't their day to lift it.
The next upcoming World Cup is in 50 over format is in India in 2025 and the teams have started to gear up for it. South Africa needs to forget this soon as possible and prepare for the main event. They will be surely one of the favorites with a young side who have been just in reach for the accolade and will now be more hungry for the podium finish.
