White Ferns Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson named in T20 World Cup tournament team

Wednesday, 23 October 2024

T20 World Cup winning captain Sophie Devine has almost run out of adjectives to describe her star allrounder, who defied injury to produce another matchwinning display on the biggest stage.

Melie Kerr was named player of the tournament as the White Ferns celebrated their maiden T20 World Cup title with gusto in Dubai, before boarding the plane to India for a three-match ODI series starting in Ahmedabad on Thursday (9pm NZT).

Kerr was named in the International Cricket Council’s team of the tournament, alongside seamer Rosemary Mair, while spinner Eden Carson was named 12th player. All three were a huge part of the Ferns’ charge to the title, backed by lively fielding and sharp catching in a tournament notable for many fielding fumbles.

But Kerr stood alone as the Ferns’ biggest influence. Clearly limping with cramps in her legs, she hit 43 off 38 balls then took 3-24 with her legspin in the final, as they comfortably held off South Africa by 32 runs.

“We all know that she is probably a once-in-a-generation player and what she was able to do tonight was incredible. Physically to be able to come out there and do what she did with the bat. Pretty sure she can't feel her legs at the moment,” Devine said of Kerr.

Melie Kerr snares another South African wicket in the T20 World Cup final.

“She just shows such grit and resilience. She's not a bad cricketer either, but the person that she is and how hard she works, how caring she is for this group. The world is her oyster and it's scary to think how good she could be.”

Kerr’s all-round performance was notable. She became the first woman to score 40-plus runs and take three or more wickets in a T20I knockout match.

Her tournament haul of 15 wickets (average 7.33) was a women’s T20 World Cup record, surpassing England’s Anya Shrubsole (2014) and Australia’s Megan Schutt (2020), who took 13 apiece. Mair (10 wickets at 11.7) and Carson (9 wickets at 16.33) joined Kerr in the top-six on the wicket charts.

Melie Kerr in control during her knock of 43 off 38 balls in the decider in Dubai.

After finally cracking a T20 world title at her ninth world tournament, Devine will now stand down as T20I captain - “I’m not retiring, by the way” - leaving Kerr as her most likely successor. It’s difficult to believe she is only 23. With Carson, Mair and a trio of 20-year-olds Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Gaze and Fran Jonas who all lifted for the big occasion, the future looks a lot more positive than it did.

“I just hope that it instils belief and confidence in these young ones,' Devine said of the victory.

“We've seen over the last three or four weeks their confidence grow and as a leader that's what you want is to see, that growth.

“I know we joke about being grandmas and mums and whatnot, but you feel a real sense of pride. Seeing them stand up and take opportunities, and to take moments like Melie was unbelievable.”

White Ferns captain Sophie Devine and team-mates on the podium in Dubai as the celebrations kick into gear.

After they belted out Journey’s classic Don’t Stop Believin’ in the dressing room, the Ferns’ victory celebrations back home will have to wait until next week. Devine will lead the ODI squad to India, with Mair being rested, batter Lauren Down returning and Otago wicketkeeper Polly Inglis in line for a debut.

Their patchy recent form shows on the ICC Women’s Championship where they sit sixth after eight wins and eight losses, needing to finish top six for automatic qualification for next year’s 50-over World Cup in India.

“We will have to switch pretty quickly into that because those games are really important for us in terms of qualifying for the World Cup next year. Again, I don't think we need much motivation,” Devine said.

The White Ferns have won nine of their 20 ODIs in India, and lost 3-2 in their last series between the sides there in 2015.

T20 World Cup tournament team: Laura Wolvaardt (capt, South Africa), Tazmin Brits (South Africa), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England), Melie Kerr (New Zealand), Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Nigar Sultana (wk, Bangladesh), Afy Fletcher (West Indies), Rosemary Mair (New Zealand), Megan Schutt (Australia), Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa). 12th player: Eden Carson (New Zealand).

White Ferns ODI squad to face India: Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

Schedule:

Thursday: First ODI at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 9pm (NZT)

Sunday: Second ODI at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 9pm

Tuesday: Third ODI at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 9pm