Tom Latham backs New Zealand to win Women’s T20 World Cup. Courtesy: AP

Latham backs New Zealand to win Women's T20 World Cup, hopes for 'even better day'

Women's T20 World Cup: Black Caps skipper Tom Latham wished the White Ferns before their grand finale against Laura Wolvaardt's South Africa in Dubai. On Sunday, Latham's men beat India by eight wickets in the Bengaluru Test.

by · India Today

In Short

  • New Zealand will face South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup final
  • The White Ferns are looking to win their maiden title
  • The New Zealand men’s team beat India in the Bengaluru Test

Tom Latham sent his wishes to Sophie Devine’s New Zealand before the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 final. On Sunday (October 20), the White Ferns will be against Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa in the summit clash at the Dubai International Stadium.

Latham, earlier, had reasons to cheer after the Black Caps beat India by eight wickets in the opening Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The men’s team also won their first Test on Indian soil after 36 years, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Latham said that the White Ferns have the chance to make it an ‘even better day’ for New Zealand cricket with a triumph in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"It has been a great morning from our point of view, but hopefully it can be an even better day for New Zealand cricket. The guys have been following the Women's T20 World Cup, for the girls to be in a position to win the tournament is pretty special. Hopefully, the White Ferns can get over the line, we wish them all the best,” Latham said.

New Zealand rising above the odds

The White Ferns returned to the T20 World Cup semis after finishing as the runners-up in 2009 and 2010. Their skipper Devine, and Suzie Bates, the all-time top run-scorer in T20Is, are amongst the cricketers to take part in all nine editions of the mega event.

Devine will also step down as the New Zealand skipper after the end of the World Cup. They came into the tournament on the back of 10 losses on the trot, but did not look back after beating India by 58 runs in their opening Group game.

In the semis, the White Ferns beat Hayley Matthews’ West Indies by eight runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.