Kerr heroics leads White Ferns to beat biggest total
- 40 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Amelia 'Melie' Kerr was once again the hero as New Zealand pulled off a record run chase in the second ODI against South Africa at the Basin Reserve.
Kerr scored an amazing 179 not out from just 139 deliveries as the White Ferns surpassed India's record for the highest successful run chase in women's ODIs as they chased down the Proteas' mammoth total of 346/6 with two balls remaining.
The successful run chase surpassed the previous best that India record in last year's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup final when they scored 341/5 in reply to Australia's total of 338 in Navi Mumbai.
The White Ferns had Kerr to thank for the new record chase, with New Zealand's captain in fine touch as she scored her fifth ODI century in quick fashion and them made it look easy when scoring the 11 runs required from the final over bowler by Nadine de Klerk.
Kerr hit two fours from the opening two deliveries of the final over as she brought up the highest score in New Zealand in women's ODIs and then repeated the dose later in the over to clinch the result.
The win also hands New Zealand two important ICC Women's Championship points on the road to Cricket World Cup 2025.
Earlier New Zealand won the toss and sent the visitors into bat which almost proved to be a big mistake.
Laura Wolvaardt scored 69, Anneke Bosch was in the runs again with 91. Sune Luus hit 40, Sinalo Jafta 37 and Chloe Tryon was the other significant scorere with 52 in the 346-6 total.
The best kiwi bowler was Bree Illing with 3-60 from 10 overs with Kayley Knight took 2-65and Jess Kerr 1-71.
Aside from Melie Kerr it was Izzy Gaze who made 68 from 48 runs for New Zealand. No other player made it past 30, although five reached double figures including Georgina Plimmer wiht 23 a dn Jess Kerr who hit 14 from seven balls with one four and one six.