New Zealand Women delivered a historic performance in the second ODI against South Africa Women, powered by a remarkable innings from captain Amelia Kerr.
A sensational display of batting by skipper Amelia Kerr saw New Zealand Women script history in the second ODI against South Africa Women, as they achieved the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history at the Basin Reserve to level the three-match series 1-1. Chasing a daunting 347, Kerr produced an unbeaten 179 from 139 balls, guiding the White Ferns to a tense two-wicket victory. Her innings combined control and attacking intent, featuring 23 fours and one six.
Kerr leads, Gaze supports in decisive stand
Kerr found strong backing from Isabella Gaze, who contributed 68, with the pair putting on a crucial 120-run partnership that shifted the momentum. With 11 runs needed from the final over, Kerr struck boundaries off Nadine de Klerk to complete the chase with two deliveries remaining.
South Africa set imposing total
Earlier in the match, South Africa Women posted 346/6, led by Anneke Bosch’s 91 and Laura Wolvaardt’s 69, while Chloe Tryon added an unbeaten 52 late in the innings. For New Zealand, Bree Illing was the pick of the bowlers, taking three key wickets.
Record chase surpasses previous mark
The victory came after New Zealand had narrowly lost the opening ODI, setting up a deciding match in the series. Kerr’s outstanding knock further cemented her standing among the top performers in women’s cricket.
The successful chase surpassed the previous record set by India in last year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final, when they scored 341/5 in response to Australia’s 338 in Navi Mumbai.
“Pretty special. I think at the halfway mark we were probably disappointed with our effort in the field, but we always knew it was a good wicket and you’re always in the game,” Kerr said in the post-match presentation, as quoted by the ICC.
“I think that was the key – that when we were in the changing room, we still believed we could win, and once I got in, I knew I had to keep going.”
