Amelia Kerr scored an imperious century to shepherd New Zealand Women to a thrilling two-wicket win over South Africa Women in their ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) One-Day International (ODI) against South Africa Women at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Wednesday.
Kerr scored a defiant unbeaten 179 from 139 balls to lead New Zealand to 350 for eight in 49.4 overs and the highest chase in WODI history. The hosts, who won the toss and chose to bowl first, restricted the Proteas Women to 346 for six in 50 overs.
New Zealand Women edged the second ODI against the Proteas Women by 2 wickets to set up a series decider on Saturday 🏏#NZvSA pic.twitter.com/5OvvHNI05F
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 1, 2026
“She (Kerr) batted excellently today. It almost felt like we had no answers to her. When we went yorkers, she had a lap, when we bowled spin, she had sweeps. She just sort of had all the shots and used them excellently today,” Laura Wolvaardt, the Proteas Women’s captain, summed up her opposite number’s innings.
The New Zealand captain, who arrived at the crease in the fifth over, paced her innings well as she batted the hosts into the history books. Kerr grew into her innings after a slow and watchful start. She batted at a strike rate of less than a run a ball for her first 57 runs, then she accelerated.
Kerr shared a match-winning 120-run fifth-wicket partnership with Isabella Gaze. The stand collapsed after Gaze holed out to Nadine de Klerk at long-on. However, the wicket-keeper had done enough, she had given the New Zealand innings impetus with her 48-ball 68.
“I thought Izzy Gaze was outstanding. Without that partnership, we wouldn't have gotten close. She took on a lot of risks and hit a lot of boundaries, which took the pressure off me,” Kerr shared after the match.
Ayabonga Khaka joins Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp in the 150 ODI wickets club 🇿🇦#SSCricket pic.twitter.com/d51iK17Twe
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 1, 2026
TRIO OF PROTEA HALF-CENTURIES
Kerr’s innings cancelled out the trio of half-centuries by Anneke Bosch, Laura Wolvaardt, and Chloe Tryon. Bosch led South Africa’s innings with a well-played 91 from 90 balls. Wolvaardt had the second-highest tally with a steady 74-ball 69, and Tryon, who bashed an unbeaten 52 from 25 balls, helped South Africa register a competitive total. Unfortunately, their efforts didn’t help the visitors achieve an unassailable total.
“At the halfway mark, we were disappointed by our fielding effort. We knew it was a good wicket and were always in the game. In the changing room, we still believed we could win,” Kerr revealed.
The New Zealand captain had a good reason to be disappointed; her side had dropped several catches in the field. However, they had their bowling attack to fall back on.
Bree Illing, who took three wickets for 60 runs in 10 overs, was part of the reason why South Africa finished with a total below 350 runs. The medium pacer was supported by Kayley Knight, who claimed a brace of wickets for 65 runs in 10 overs, and Jess Kerr, who took a single wicket for 71 runs in her 10 overs.
However, Ayabonga Khaka was the most successful bowler in the match with three wickets for 51 runs in 10 overs. Masabata Klaas and Kayla Reyneke, who provided her with great support, each claimed a brace of wickets, while Sune Luus finished with a single wicket to her name.
179 runs, 139 balls, 23 fours & 1 six 💥
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 1, 2026
Amelia Kerr stood tall as New Zealand completed the highest-ever successful run chase in women’s ODI history in Wellington 🇳🇿#Cricket #NZWvsSAW pic.twitter.com/kWZzcpC8JR
Kerr, who was named the Player of the Match, revealed that she felt that the match between New Zealand and South Africa offered an insight into how far the women’s game had come.
“I think of where Women's cricket was when I started, 220 was about par, then chase down 350 today. It just shows how far the game has come. Also, the way South Africa played, you see their ball striking and then for us in the changing room to still believe,” Kerr said.
NEW ZEALAND: Suzannah Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr (capt), Madeline Green, Brooke Halliday, Isabella Gaze (wk), Isobel Sharp, Jessica Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Kayley Knight, Breearne Illing.
SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Kayla Reyneke, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba.