Voluminous image: a look at history
Some images speak more than words can express.
Like Siya Kolisi looking up at the sky and roaring towards the Parisian sky, before lifting the last-minute International Rugby Cup.
Like Handover Elliott, a South African of descent, who lent a hand to a despondent Dale Steyn and then hit the winning six to seal New Zealand’s last in the 2015 ODI International Cup.
Like Katy Perry joining Meg Lanning’s victorious Australian team on the winners’ podium in front of a record 86,174 fans at the MCG in 2020.
Or, more recently, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, standing side by side, like brothers in hands, with the Indian flag, their medals and the International Cup trophy, before walking off into the sunset.
On Sunday, South Africa and New Zealand will go head to head to earn the right to add to the unforgettable images and moments of the game, which one works hard for years – or decades, in the case of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates. and Marizanne Kapp.
New Zealand have a shot at glory over the next 14 years, South Africa their second in two years, having beaten Australia, the team that breaks their hearts on a sparkling afternoon in Cape Town at the end of February.
Their last trips to the International Cup had been quite coincidental. Full of admirable victories that warmed hearts. And losses that challenged – with a transition looming – the buildings along the way that have not been able to exactly copy the landmarks eager for Australia and England. That’s why her emergence at the top offers hope for women’s sport and the growth of the sport.
Dubai has great value for both groups. South Africa lifted the best trophy in their history, whether senior or youth, in an International Cup here in 2014 under the captaincy of Aiden Markram. For New Zealand, this was the epicenter of their latest final woes in the Men’s T20 International Cup in 2021.
Without reference to what happens in Sunday’s brilliant final, the winner of the Women’s T20 International Cup could have a new winner.
Method information
New Zealand WWWLW (last 5 T20Is, most updated first)
South Africa WWWLW
In the highlights: Sophie Devine and Anneke Bosch
Workforce information: not many changes expected anymore
There are slight indications that both teams will alternate with their eleven from the semifinal. South Africa has remained unchanged throughout the event.
New Zealand (possible): 1 Georgia Plimmer, 2 Suzie Bates, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (captain), 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (week), 8 Rosemary Mair, 9 Lea Tahuhu, 10 Eden Carson, 11 Fran Jonas
South Africa (possible): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (captain), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Anneke Bosch, 4 Chloe Tryon, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sune Luus, 6 Annerie Dercksen, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Sinao Jafta (week), 10 Nonkululeko Mlaba , 11 Ayabonga Khaka
Sound and situations: Spin to win
The build-up to the last two major ICC finals was governed by talk of sound and situations. In Ahmedabad, in the last hour of the International Cup for over 50s, it was not known until a week before the general which floor was deteriorating. In Barbados this June, hail was forecast all week with the ultimatum of a typhoon – which would ultimately delay Bharat’s withdrawal – looming. There may be a lot less drama in the last round.
The launches in Dubai have changed and taking a week off has been a ploy that the captains have been able to implement frequently. Pakistan took advantage of this quite fantastically against New Zealand. Bharat realized the dangers of playing with three seamers when they conceded 160 in their first match against New Zealand.
The lack of dew has been one of the reasons the spin has been effective. Dew had reduced the draw to a lottery in the 2021 Men’s T20 International Cup in the United Arab Emirates, but his impact has been minimal in the past. While temperatures have dropped significantly over the past two weeks, it will still take a toll on players’ health, especially as nights remain muggy.
Statistics and trivia
- Bates is set to become the most capped player in women’s internationals, surpassing Mithali Raj’s tally of 333 caps.
- Wolvaardt has overtaken Dane van Niekerk to become South Africa’s highest run-scorer in a T20 International Cup.
- New Zealand have only lost one wicket in the powerplay in this tournament.
- Amelia Kerr’s 12 wickets in this T20 International Cup are the third-most by a bowler in a single version. Two wickets on Sunday will draw their moment from the joint document of Anya Shrubsole and Megan Schutt.
- Bosch’s 74 in the semi-final is the best individual score of the tournament to date.
Quotes
“Playing that final, we got behind the eight ball. In those games, you have to be 200% and stay calm. We got a little nervous, sometimes we get nervous. But throughout this tournament, we have “Calm and clear about how we want to do things. That shows the growth of this team.”
all terrain Chloe Tryon about how South Africa has changed since the last hour
“We are the grandmothers of this team and we are still standing. Leah [Tahuhu] With her bionic knees, Sophie has dealt with a lot as captain and I’m moving on, it’s truly a special moment. There have been hard moments, we have gone through ups and downs, but the fact that we have reached the final is special. “We take care of each other.”
Suzie Bates on New Zealand’s deteriorating reserve having another split in glory
Shashank Kishore is Senior Deputy Editor at ESPNcricinfo
