White Ferns want to inspire New Zealand’s next generation of stars

One player who took inspiration from past feats was all-rounder Melie Kerr, who made 43 with the bat and picked up three valuable wickets in response as she battled cramps in a Man of the Match performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup decider.

Kerr admitted that she was greatly inspired by Devine’s exploits in the early editions of the T20 World Cup and that winning the title in Dubai had been a long-time dream of hers, as she led the White Ferns to a memorable triumph and was named Player of the O Tournament.

“I was inspired by being a White Fern watching that 2010 World Cup that Sophie was in and from that moment on I was in the nets with my dad pretending I was batting with Sophie and Suzie (Bates) and being in the team at such a young age and playing with my role models who have been so good to me and two of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers,” Kerr revealed.

“I don’t necessarily believe you deserve things in sport, but if two people do, it’s Sophie and Suzie. And I just think about myself as a little kid who was batting with Sophie and Suzie in the nets.

“And like when I was in primary school, writing creative writing, I wrote about winning a World Cup with Sophie and Suzie.

“So to be here now, having done that, I think that’s probably why I’m so emotional on the field at the moment. It’s something so special when I think about my younger self and being here now and doing this with two of New Zealand’s best ever.”