Melie Kerr earns special praise from former White Ferns wicket-keeper
Melie Kerr’s exceptional run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 peaked with a final-winning performance against South Africa.
Melie Kerr delivered the perfect finishing act for her side, top-scoring with 43 before picking up three important scalps during South Africa’s chase in the final, to help New Zealand to a historic 32-run win in Dubai.
Most wickets (15) in a single Women's #T20WorldCup edition ✅
— ICC (@ICC) October 20, 2024
135 runs with the bat ✅
A tournament to remember for the @aramco POTT winner Melie Kerr 🌟 #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/MZoY8mOVaQ
Her spectacular performance was the culmination of a successful campaign, during which she finished as the leading wicket-taker in any edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Watch Melie Kerr's sensational performance from the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final
Former New Zealand wicket-keeper Katey Martin, who played several years together with Melie and closely followed her exploits from the commentary box in the event, swelled with pride at the all-rounder’s talismanic run.
Martin revealed that Melie had set the highest aim for herself going into the event.
“One little secret is that was a goal of hers, to be the Player of the Tournament and she’s done that,” Martin said on the ICC's Digital Daily show.
“She’s set the bar so high in what she wants to do for herself but also for the country.”
A T20 World Cup winner at only 24, Kerr has several other feats to her name including being the youngest double-centurion in international cricket. Martin believed that greater honours were in store for the youngster.
“Look she’s a once-in-a-generation player. I’ve said it year-on-year-on-year, she’ll be the future New Zealand captain and to perform like that I think just shows so much of character," Martin added.
Watch the Digital Daily interview with Katey Martin
New Zealand create history in Dubai | Digital Daily | WT20WC 2024
Martin went on to applaud the larger group of White Ferns' players, especially praising them for overcoming physical discomfort to give it their all on the field.
"These people they’ve dreamed about this since they were kids, Melie Kerr, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, they’ve dreamed of this moment. And I think they’ll be in disbelief, half of them were out on the field with cramps. They’ve just put it all out in the park, and it’s just so much pride in this group of players."