White Ferns star Amelia Kerr insists her team's poor run of pre-tournament form has set them up for a crack at a World Cup crown in Dubai.
The NZ women have overcome the odds to reach the title match against South Africa, overcoming a big-hitting West Indies outfit by eight runs in the semis, after favourites Australia and England had fallen to upset defeats.
The Kiwis last reached this stage in 2010, but also had to put aside the ghosts of a 2016 semifinal loss to the Windies.
Just as daunting were the dire results heading into the event, including 10 straight defeats in the Twenty20 format. Their pool loss to Australia was their 15th for the year, equalling a dubious record held by lowly Singapore.
The NZ women overcame West Indies to reach the T20 final. (Source: Supplied)
"It's been a tough year, but it speaks volumes of the character and the people in the group," admitted Kerr, one of the heroes of the semifinal triumph.
"Those series were tough, and they were against England and Australia, who are both world class teams, but although we didn't win, the amount of learnings we took from them...
"Losses can dent you confidence, but coming to a World Cup, you want to stay positive and believe you can win any game. Hopefully, those losses made us better and I think they 100% have.
"To stay upbeat and together shows the character this group has."
Kerr has been a key contributor to the turnaround and highlighted her semifinal performance with the key wicket of West Indies batter Deandra Dottin, just as she threatened to take victory away from the Kiwis, with three sixes in her whirlwind 33-run innings. The result was particularly emotional for White Ferns veterans Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, who experienced the heartbreak at the same stage eight years ago.
"It's so exciting for New Zealand and everyone back home," said Kerr. "I think of the Black Ferns, our women's rugby team that made the World Cup final, and after that, so many young girls and boys wanted to start playing rugby.
"To now be playing in the final, having the chance to win a World Cup, I think it's going to inspire so many kids back home. In sport and life, people like seeing and hearing success stories, and if we have the opportunity to inspire a nation...
"I'm just so proud of how this group has carried themselves. Yes, we want to do great things on the field, but more importantly, what we do off the field is outstanding and the people we are.
"We might win or lose cricket games, but all the girls in the group are fantastic role models and now we have a chance to add a trophy to it."
New Zealand broke their recent losing run against South Africa in a World Cup warm-up match and now face those same opponents for the spoils on Monday morning (NZ time).
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