Kerr defies pain to end the hurt for New Zealand

New Zealand secured a maiden T20 World Cup title, beating South Africa by 32 runs after a mammoth effort from the all-rounder Melie Kerr, who was named player of the tournament.

- Raf Nicholson

After top-scoring with 43 from 38 balls, Kerr was rendered barely able to walk because of cramp brought on by the Dubai heat, but nevertheless she snatched the wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch at both ends of the 10th over, turning the match on its head.

It is New Zealand's first global trophy since 2000, and comes off the back of a miserable run of form which included a 5-0 T20 whitewash against England in July. But yesterday in Dubai everything somehow clicked for the Kiwi underdogs.

Here was vindication at last for the self-styled Kiwi “grandmas” - the 37-year-old Suzie Bates, the 35-year-old Sophie Devine, and the 34-year-old Lea Tahuhu - who have battled for years with barely a sniff of World Cup success (New Zealand last appeared in a World Cup final in 2010) and for whom this was very likely a final chance at World Cup glory.