Wellington, April 1 – Skipper Amelie Kerr’s masterful batting helped New Zealand achieve the highest successful chase in women's ODI history, surpassing a daunting target of 347 to defeat South Africa by two wickets in the second ODI at the Basin Reserve and level the three-match series 1-1.
Kerr scored an amazing 179 not out from 139 balls as New Zealand broke India's record for the highest successful chase in women's ODIs, chasing down South Africa's mammoth total of 346/6 with two balls remaining.
Coming in after the early dismissal of Suzie Bates, Kerr ensured that the required run rate remained manageable throughout the chase. She found key support from Georgia Plimmer (23) in a stabilizing 52-run partnership, and later from Isabella Gaze (68).
Gaze and Kerr combined for a 120-run stand, which proved crucial as the White Ferns survived the middle overs. Gaze's explosive 68 off 48 balls put pressure back on South Africa. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals in the late stages of the innings, Kerr guided the lower order with clarity.
With 11 runs required off the final over, Kerr dominated Nadine de Klerk, hitting three boundaries to bring the equation to zero and seal the historic win with two balls to spare.
Earlier, South Africa had posted a formidable total. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led the way with a fluent 69, while Anneke Bosch produced a commanding 91 off 90 balls. The pair built on a rapid start to lay a strong foundation.
Valuable contributions followed from Sune Luus (40) and Chloe Tryon, who provided the late flourish with an unbeaten 52, propelled South Africa past the 300 mark.
Although New Zealand's bowlers struggled, Bree Illing stood out with three wickets, helping prevent an even bigger total.
With this total, South Africa appeared well on course for victory, but Kerr's brilliance turned the game dramatically. This chase surpassed the previous best India recorded in last year's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup final, when they scored 341/5 in reply to Australia's 338 in Navi Mumbai.
Brief Scores: South Africa 346/6 in 50 overs (Anneke Bosch 91, Laura Wolvaardt 69; Bree Illing 3-60, Kayley Knight 2-65) lost to New Zealand 350/8 in 49.4 overs (Amelie Kerr 179*, Isabella Gaze 68; Ayabonga Khaka 3-51, Masabata Klaas 2-61) by 2 wickets.
