New Zealand women's cricket captain Sophie Devine was so emotional after winning the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games that she had to fight back the tears.
The team then participated in the Commonwealth games women's cricket competition 2022 as their next big tournament but faltered there as well.
After winning two out of their three matches in the group stage, the team suffered a loss against Australia in the semifinals.
"It's been a pretty rough couple of years, to be fair, missing out on world events and not performing when it mattered most, especially the World Cup at home earlier this year," Devine said. "Having my folks in the stand and just being through what we have, I love New Zealand cricket, I love cricket and to play for my country and to be able to share it with this group of people, and it's not just this current group of people, to have Katey Martin screaming from the crowd, that's what makes this group so special."
"I think that shows some real heart and character from this group that is going to hold us in really good stead moving forward. We were probably just lacking that self belief that we can match it with the big guys. Victories like that today show we deserve to be here."
Strangely, it was a one-sided affair in the third place playoff match as New Zealand bowled out England for just 110 and then chased down the target with more than 8 overs to spare to register a handsome 8-wicket victory and win a much-deserved bronze medal.
