New Zealand Achieves Historic Chase, Shattering India’s Women’s ODI Record
New Zealand Women made history in the second ODI against South Africa Women at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, achieving the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history. They chased down a formidable target of 348 runs, surpassing the previous record set by India during the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Amelia Kerr was the standout performer, scoring an impressive unbeaten 179 runs off 139 balls, leading her team to a thrilling victory and leveling the series.
Match Highlights: New Zealand vs South Africa
In a match filled with tension and excitement, New Zealand faced a daunting challenge while chasing South Africa’s total of 347 runs. The innings began on a shaky note for the hosts as they lost Suzie Bates early, putting immediate pressure on the team. However, Amelia Kerr quickly steadied the ship, forming a crucial partnership with Georgia Plimmer. Together, they added 52 runs, but New Zealand found themselves in a precarious position at 130/4 around the halfway mark of their innings.
The turning point came when Kerr joined forces with Isabella Gaze. This partnership proved to be a game-changer, as the duo added an astonishing 120 runs in just 81 balls. Gaze played a vital role, contributing a brisk 68 runs off 48 balls, while Kerr showcased her exceptional batting skills. She reached her fifth ODI century off just 90 balls and continued to accelerate, ultimately hitting 23 fours and a six. Kerr’s performance was a masterclass in controlled aggression, and she fittingly sealed the victory with the winning boundary, finishing the match with a couple of balls to spare.
South Africa’s Strong Start
Before New Zealand’s historic chase, South Africa set a challenging target with a solid batting performance. The innings was anchored by Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch, who formed a formidable partnership of 132 runs for the second wicket. Despite Tazmin Brits falling early, Wolvaardt and Bosch rebuilt the innings steadily, ensuring a competitive total. Wolvaardt scored 69 runs, while Bosch contributed a significant 91 runs, laying a strong foundation for the innings.
Chloe Tryon added a late surge to South Africa’s total, scoring an unbeaten 52 runs off just 25 balls. Her explosive batting in the final overs pushed the total to 347, which appeared to be a match-winning score at the time. However, New Zealand’s batting prowess, led by Kerr, proved too strong on the day.
Record-Breaking Chase
With this remarkable victory, New Zealand Women not only leveled the series against South Africa but also etched their name in the record books. The chase of 348 runs is now the highest successful run chase in Women’s ODI history, surpassing the previous record of 339 runs set by India against Australia in the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final. In that match, Jemimah Rodrigues played a pivotal role for India, scoring an unbeaten 127 runs to guide her team to victory.
The significance of New Zealand’s achievement cannot be understated. Amelia Kerr’s outstanding performance not only led her team to victory but also highlighted her status as one of the leading players in women’s cricket today. As the series continues, fans can expect more thrilling encounters between these two competitive teams.
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