From the heartbreak of losing the 2010 T20 World Cup final to being crowned champions in 2024, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu have seen it all.
New Zealand cricketer Amelia Kerr, whose all-round performance in the final helped guide her team to victory, credited her senior teammates Devine and Bates for inspiring her to pursue cricket as a young girl. Kerr, who top-scored with 43 runs and took 3 wickets for 24 in the final against South Africa, reminisced about how she idolized Devine and Bates during the 2010 World Cup, where New Zealand narrowly lost to Australia.
“I was inspired to be a White Fern watching that 2010 World Cup,” said an emotional Kerr, reflecting on her journey. At just 24 years old, she finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker and was awarded both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament.
A Childhood Dream Fulfilled
As a 10-year-old, Kerr had written stories about winning a World Cup alongside her heroes, Devine and Bates. “When I was at primary school, I wrote about winning a World Cup with Sophie and Suzie,” she shared, adding that playing with her role models has been a dream come true.
Devine (35) and Bates (37), affectionately referred to as the “grandmas of cricket,” played pivotal roles in the final. Bates contributed 32 runs and took three catches, while Tahuhu, the 34-year-old fast bowler, disrupted South Africa’s middle order. Though Devine only managed six runs in the final, her leadership was crucial in bringing out the best in the younger players.
“We joke about being grandmas, but seeing the younger players stand up today was so special,” said Devine.
Eighteen Years of Joy and Heartbreak
Devine and Bates have been constants in the New Zealand squad since the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2009, sharing moments of triumph and heartbreak along the way. The two cricketers, who have played in every T20 World Cup, celebrated the victory with an emotional embrace. “That hug was 17, 18 years of joy, heartbreak, and happiness all wrapped up in one moment,” said Devine.
For Bates, the victory was the culmination of years of perseverance. “When you play team sport, you want to be a world champion,” she said. “We’ve fought our way back to the top.”
A Historic Day for New Zealand Cricket
The White Ferns’ triumph brought with it a life-changing windfall, with each player receiving approximately $155,000 from the team’s $2.3 million prize. The victory marked New Zealand’s first-ever win in the T20 World Cup, an unexpected result after the team had lost 10 consecutive T20 matches leading up to the tournament.
“This means everything to us,” said Bates. “Devie has been so outstanding leading this team. There were dark times, but we believed in ourselves.”
The White Ferns’ success coincided with the New Zealand men’s cricket team achieving their first Test victory in India since 1988, making it one of the country’s finest days in cricket history. However, Devine believes there’s more to come.
“I hope tonight’s victory inspires the next generation, not just young girls but young boys as well,” said Devine. “Everyone loves a winner, don’t they?”