White Ferns Flutter - Remembering the past, celebrating the present

An emotional Suzie Bates looked skywards, failing to hide her happiness all through, as South Africa's target read 34 required off two balls. It wouldn't take a mathematical genius to calculate what was coming, and even the senior-most member of the team was struggling to rein in the contentment, above all, in front of a 21,000-strong crowd.

The camera panned to an elated Lea Tahuhu next delivery - hands on her head, laughing in disbelief. Amelia Kerr, who put her body on the line in Dubai's sapping humidity on Sunday, also thanked the stars before Eden Carson could run in for the final delivery of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup final.

In all this, Sophie Devine was probably handling it better than most, only to completely let loose moments later.

A swing and a miss from the South Africans sent the whole White Ferns squad into a state of ecstasy, barring a teary Devine and Bates who, perhaps, tried to squash the blood, sweat and tears of the last decade and a half in that long, warm embrace by the inner ring

It was 15 years in the making for two of the senior-most teammates of the New Zealand Women's cricket team. They'd both been at the iconic Lord's, at the receiving end of a comprehensive six-wicket defeat. The gap had narrowed the following year and Devine was within touching distance of those winning runs but Ellyse Perry's football instincts got in the way of her straight drive to the trophy. Now, in the twilight of their careers, the duo finally got their hands on the elusive silverware for a story arc like no other.

Tahuhu came running in to make it an inseparable trinity with Devine and Bates, and as the next generation of the team caught up to make it a celebratory huddle around them, the frame represented everything that this White Ferns campaign stood for. A core that had weathered many a storm at the very heart of a blooming flower, each petal of it carefully nurtured as they had each others' back through thick and thin.

As is deeply embedded in this team's culture and values, they don't forget where they've come from. Fellow Kiwi and broadcaster Laura McGoldrick had a few bear hugs to share the irrepressible happiness. Katey Martin, once keeping behind the stumps to the senior trio and currently behind the mic, also became a part of team celebrations and selfies as the White Ferns etched their name in history books.

Tears, and then words, flowed liberally as Devine relieved the game, and the campaign, for Mel Jones. Even as her team impatiently awaited their captain back at the podium, she took more than just a moment out to verbally pat the back of the Africans, the runners-up, to garner loud applause for the gesture from not just the opposition but also the fairly neutral crowd that had stayed back for the crowning.

Eden Carson and Tahuhu had the celebratory bottles ready to pop. Greg Barclay, the outgoing ICC chief and a fellow Kiwi, gave a little thumbs-up before handing over the glittering piece of silverware to Devine and leaving the stage to the ladies. This round of celebrations featured tears, champagne, and fireworks in equal measure.

Roughly about two and a half hours into the night - their first as the newly crowned T20 champions - the White Ferns made their way back onto the confetti-soaked Dubai pitch, barefoot. Kerr, with a guitar hanging around her neck, led the pack. The coaching staff and most of the travelling family members were in tow, as was Martin, with their beers and wine glasses.

Forming a sitting hurdle around the pitch, nearly replicating the ring of fire that honed the spotlight on them, New Zealand celebrated its three champions. Tahuhu with the trophy at the epicentre of the circle posed for photos in 360-degrees. Bates, the senior-most "grandma" of them all, challenged the few gen-zers to a dance-off.

Once the staff and the families took a step back, the team, led by Kerr on the guitar, sang 'E te Iwi E' to their outgoing captain.

A Maori song from back home that each of the ladies grew up learning at some point in their lives, is about acknowledging all the people of Aotearoa. It sings of remembering those who have passed and what they did to bring them this far. It speaks of love for all, and is a traditional way to honour the moment and those who have helped along the way. Firmly rooted to their values, the song was a fitting tribute to the woman who had, against odds, built an exceptional team and, above all, exceptional human beings.

"She's one of a kind there will never be another Sophie Devine in world cricket," Bates had said ahead of the final. "She's just so calm and level. She's brought some great values to this group, making sure that we care about people as cricketers first and foremost. She doesn't get caught up in too much of the politics that goes with being captain. She just concentrates on doing her job. And yeah, we're really going to miss her and I'm going to miss her as captain. But look, we've still got a little bit left in us And I've just loved every minute of being in a team with her. The fact that she's got us to this point as a leader, I think, is a huge credit to just how calm and how positive she's remained with being around this group and where we're heading."

An uncharacteristically boisterous Bates danced into the night of celebrations, first in the middle and then to the Bollywood tunes of the Papare, whereas an unusually emotional Devine sat mid-pitch, posing with the cup and obliging everyone who sought a keepsake. Lifting the trophy was the endgame from day 1, and there she was, tearing up after leading her band of experienced and exuberant to heights no other White Ferns skipper had previously, whilst not forgetting what their sacrifices meant in this journey.