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Scotty's Spin: Time to celebrate resilient White Ferns' resurgence at T20 World Cup
Scotty Stevenson ⢠ October 15th, 2024 9:54 am
Eight years is a very long time between drinks, isn't it, for the New Zealand women's cricket team?
But the White Ferns today put the demons to bed with an outstanding victory over Pakistan to reach the Final Four.
We won't know who their opponent is until the conclusion of the last pool game between England and the West Indies, but for now, it's time to celebrate.
Celebrate this team. And one thing in particular about this team, their ability to finally find that self-belief.
Tuesday's game against Pakistan, while they should have won on form, was never going to be easy. Essentially, this shaped as a quarter-final for the White Ferns - a win at all costs, a win-and-in contest. Sometimes when results haven't gone your way for a long period of time, it's those kinds of games that can be the banana skin.
At the halfway stage in the match this morning - with 110 runs on the board - you just had a sneaky feeling that this team had to find its magic and it did find its magic.
The mojo was there and the effort of the bowlers. Leah Tahuhu was brilliant with the ball. Eden Carson, that maiden in the powerplay was an absolute tone setter. Fran Jonas getting in on the wickets as well, and Melie Kerr mopping up the tail, as she has become so adept at doing.
This was a team that looked so enthusiastic and so hell bent on making that Final Four. And you could see the energy climb throughout that day. Coach Ben Sawyer said, 'it's just so good to see them smiling'. And I totally agree.
This is a team that thrives when they play like their authentic selves, when they take the pressure off, when they realise that every moment in a game of cricket is a moment to celebrate. They celebrated today. We celebrate with them. We cannot wait to see these semi-finals.
This is just desserts for a team that has worked so extraordinarily hard over the last 12 months, especially when results haven't gone their way. They've felt that pressure. They've felt the critics as well, and they have heard them. But they were able to shut out that noise, believe in themselves and get the job done.
They deserve your backing. They are a great bunch of athletes. They're a great bunch of people and now destiny is in their hands.
Listen to SENZ's interview with player-of-the-match Eden Carson below:
