Amelia Kerr produced one of the greatest innings in Women’s One-Day Internationals (ODI) as she smashed an unbeaten 179 off just 139 deliveries to help New Zealand beat South Africa by two wickets in the second match of the series in Wellington on April 1 (Wednesday).
In doing so, New Zealand have broken the record for the highest successful run-chase in Women’s ODIs, beating India’s record, when they chased down 339 against Australia in the World Cup semi-final
Highest successful chases in Women’s ODI
347 NZ vs SA, Wellington, 2026
339 IND vs AUS, Navi Mumbai, 2025
331 AUS vs IND, Visakhapatnam, 2025
302 SL vs SA, Potchefstroom, 2024
289 AUS vs NZ, North Sydney, 2012
Kerr also registered the second-highest score in a Women’s ODI run chase, falling short of the record set by Sri Lanka batter Chamari Athapaththu.
Highest score in a Women’s ODI chase
195* Chamari Athapaththu (SL) vs SA, Potchefstroom, 2024
179* Amelia Kerr (NZ) vs SA, Wellington, 2026
152* Meg Lanning (AUS) vs SL, Bristol, 2017
148* Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG) vs AUS, Christchurch, 2022
142 Alyssa Healy (AUS) vs IND, Visakhapatnam, 2025
Kerr, who holds the record for the highest individual score in Women’s ODIs (232*), came in at three, after the White Ferns lost Suzie Bates early. At 130/4 at nearly the halfway stage, it looked as though South Africa would cruise to a win, but that’s when Kerr and Isabella Gaze put on 120 off just 81 deliveries to give New Zealand hope.
With less than 100 needed in 12 overs, Kerr kept playing her shots and got good support from the other end as she took her side home to help level the three-match series 1-1.
Earlier, South Africa rode on fifties from Laura Wolvaardt (69), Anneke Bosch (91) and Chloe Tryon (52*) to put up 346/6 – their third-highest total in ODIs. South Africa went into the match following a two-wicket win in the first ODI in Christchurch. The two teams will clash again in the third and final match of the series in Wellington on April 4.
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