New Zealand Women vs South Africa Women Match Report

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 final between New Zealand and South Africa was a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end. New Zealand won the match by five wickets with three balls to spare, claiming their second T20 World Cup title.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to field first. South Africa got off to a solid start, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits putting on a 55-run partnership. However, New Zealand's bowlers fought back, taking regular wickets to restrict South Africa to 164/4 in their 20 overs.

In reply, New Zealand's chase got off to a shaky start, losing both openers early. However, a brilliant century from Maddy Green, who scored 110 runs off just 54 balls, kept New Zealand in the hunt. Green was well supported by Amelia Kerr, who scored 20 runs off 16 balls, and Hayley Jensen, who scored 18 runs off 11 balls.

With New Zealand needing 13 runs off the last over, Jensen hit a boundary off the first ball to bring the equation down to nine runs off five balls. Jensen then hit another boundary off the third ball to bring the equation down to five runs off three balls. Jensen then scampered through for a single off the fourth ball to bring the equation down to four runs off two balls. Kerr then hit a boundary off the fifth ball to seal the victory for New Zealand.

Green was named the Player of the Match for her match-winning century. She said after the match, "It's an amazing feeling. I'm so proud of the team, we've worked so hard for this. We knew it was going to be a tough match, but we stuck to our game plan and we got the win."

New Zealand's victory is a testament to their team spirit and never-say-die attitude. They showed great resilience to come back from a shaky start and chase down a challenging total. They are a deserving champion of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023.