New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first White Ferns spinner and only the second bowler after former skipper Sophie Devine to claim 100 wickets in Women’s T20 Internationals. She also became the second-fastest player, in terms of matches (93), to complete the double of 100 wickets and 1,000 runs in the format, after Hong Kong’s Kary Chan.
The landmark came during New Zealand’s ongoing white-ball series at home against South Africa, which features a five-match T20I leg followed by a three-match ODI series scheduled from March 15 to April 4, 2026. New Zealand had begun the contest with a dominant 80-run victory in the opening T20I, but the visitors, led by Laura Wolvaardt, responded with an 18-run win in the second match to level the series.
Kerr entered the 100-wicket club by dismissing South Africa opener Sune Luus, who scored 31 from 21 deliveries, trapping her lbw in the seventh over to provide the first breakthrough for her side.
In the second T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton, Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bat first. Kerr delivered figures of 4-0-29-2, also accounting for the wicket of Tazmin Brits, who made 53 from 43 balls. South Africa posted 177 for 5 in their 20 overs, boosted by a late cameo from Kayla Reyneke, who remained unbeaten on 28 from nine balls.
New Zealand’s chase ended on 159, falling short by 18 runs with five balls remaining, as Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba starred with the ball for South Africa with returns of 4 for 27 and 3 for 27 respectively.
Kerr had recently been appointed full-time captain of the White Ferns across formats on February 15, 2026. She began her tenure with a successful home campaign against Zimbabwe, where New Zealand secured a 3-0 whitewash in both T20Is and ODIs during the bilateral series held from February 25 to March 11.
She made her international debut in an ODI against Pakistan at Lincoln on November 9, 2016, followed by her T20I debut against the same opposition at Nelson on November 21, 2016. Since then, Kerr has taken 101 wickets in 91 innings at an average of 20.02 and an economy rate of 6.05 in 93 matches in the T20I format, including two four-wicket hauls.
Her best bowling performance in T20Is came on September 22, 2024, against Australia at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, where she returned figures of 4-0-20-4 in the first innings. However, New Zealand were unable to chase the target of 143 and lost the match by 29 runs.
Over the years, Kerr has developed from a teenage prodigy into one of New Zealand’s most influential all-rounders across formats. With several ICC tournaments approaching, her appointment as full-time captain is seen as a timely development as the White Ferns continue to refine their squad and approach ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, scheduled from June 12 to July 5, 2026.
