Kerr's unbeaten 179 powers New Zealand to record women's ODI chase against South Africa
Chasing 347 in a women's ODI is not supposed to work. It has never worked before. The previous record stood at 341, set by India against Australia in the 2025 World Cup semi-final. Amelia Kerr tore it up with an innings that will be talked about for years.
South Africa set a daunting target
South Africa batted first after winning the toss and piled up 346, a total that looked like more than enough on a Basin Reserve pitch offering something for both departments. New Zealand needed their biggest chase in women's ODI history, and nobody gave them much of a chance at halfway.
Kerr from start to finish
The 25-year-old New Zealand captain took charge from the start and never let go. Her 179 not out came off 139 deliveries and included 23 fours and a six. The boundary count tells its own story. Kerr found gaps everywhere, worked the angles when South Africa went defensive, and hit through the line when they overpitched. She batted through the entire innings, finishing things off with two balls to spare as New Zealand got home by two wickets.
The numbers in context
This is the highest individual score in a successful women's ODI run chase. Kerr already holds the overall women's ODI record of 232 not out, set against Ireland in 2018 when she was just 17. That innings was in a dead rubber. This one levelled a series at 1-1 against a quality South Africa side, with the match on the line and wickets falling around her.
A captain's knock in every sense
New Zealand lost wickets at the other end. The scoreboard pressure was constant. Kerr absorbed it all. She had to bat with the tail, accelerate when partnerships dried up, and still keep the run rate ticking over across 50 overs. That she did all of it while carrying her bat makes this one of the finest ODI innings, men's or women's, in the history of the format.
Cricket Updates
