Amelia Kerr, the star cricketer who led New Zealand to victory in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, has credited her older teammates Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates for inspiring her to take up the sport. After watching Devine and Bates in the 2010 final as a 10-year-old, Kerr wrote stories about winning the trophy with them, a dream that came true in this year’s final where she scored 43 runs and took 3 wickets. The 24-year-old finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker and received both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament Awards. Devine, Bates, and Lea Tahuhu, experienced players in the team, also played crucial roles in the victory.
The White Ferns’ unexpected triumph, after losing 10 consecutive T20 matches, marked a turning point for the team. The players will split prize money of $2.3m, a significant sum that will impact their careers. The win, combined with the men’s team’s success in Bengaluru, made it a historic day for New Zealand cricket. Devine hopes that their victory will inspire the next generation of cricketers, both girls, and boys. She believes in the long-reaching impact of their achievement and hopes to encourage more youngsters to take up the sport. The momentous victory has left a lasting impression on the team and the nation, as everyone celebrates the success of the White Ferns in the T20 World Cup.
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