Everyone is always looking for a narrative, New Zealand couldn’t have provided a better one: from ten losses in a row to World Champions, slipping under the radar, holding their nerve when England and Australia lost theirs, to win the tournament.
A brilliant team performance, from the grandmas to the fresh-faced twenty-somethings. A cracking end to a memorable tournament, played in front of 21,000 spectators, and the perfect topping to an amazing day for New Zealand cricket.
And that’s it from us – Raf’s report will be here shortly. The third and final Test starts tomorrow in the small hours. Thanks for all your messages – good bye!
The T2o trophy at last!
Now New Zealand for the handshakes. Bouncing on air, they collect their medals.
Nine tournaments, twice runners-up, now winners:
Sophie Devine – “I started to let myself dream last night about what it would be like to hold that trophy up in front of that team. For New Zealand cricket, it has been a long time between drinks.
“Results haven’t gone our way recently but we knew what we were building to. We played the two best teams in the row but at a World Cup everyone starts at zero.
On ‘the grandmas’: To have Suz in the side – so stoked in what we were able to do for her. Lea is the sort of person you want in your team, she’ll scrap for you, she was fantastic today
And on changing her mind on stepping down as captain of T20 team. “No chance. I am done.”
“Amelia Kerr is a once in a generation player – I’m pretty sure she can’t feel her legs at the moment and she’s probably chundered everywhere. She’s an amazing cricket and person.”
And at last she is freed to lift the trophy. Up go the fireworks, up goes the champagne and New Zealand are crowned champions at last.
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