“Would you say that’s one of your favourite innings?”
“Yeah, no doubt. It’s No. 1. Yeah, I think to get a big hundred like that but in a big chase against a quality side, it’s, yeah, definitely No. 1.”
Amelia Kerr is rarely expressive on the field, usually keeping celebrations understated. But Wednesday proved an exception — and understandably so. Her unbeaten 179 from 139 balls powered New Zealand to a series-levelling win over South Africa, while also sealing the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history. The innings also secured two valuable ICC Women’s Championship points. Her broad smile, raised bat, and embrace with Kayley Knight reflected the magnitude of the moment.
“I was really calm out there and just was so focused on, I guess, simplifying it to each over and where we needed to be to get the job done,” she said at the post-match press conference. “And then it kind of got to like 20 [22] off 15 or whatever it was, and you start to think how cool would this be if we won. But again, I probably didn’t have those thoughts till that moment in the game and just had to bring myself back to the present moment rather than thinking this could be really cool, making sure I get the job done.
“And yeah, I thought because I was pretty calm that I wouldn’t show too much emotion. But when I did hit the winning runs, it was I was actually pretty fizzed. And I guess it shows how much it means to me. I’m a pretty relaxed character with celebrations and all that stuff. But that was special. And to make the series go 1-1 as well, it was an important game. There are important points, and it means a lot.”
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Building the chase
Kerr remained unbeaten on 179, with 79 of those runs coming from her final 49 deliveries. While it did not entirely match the exact target she had set herself upon reaching her hundred, it was close. Crucially, she was supported by Isabella Gaze, who struck 68 off 48 balls in a fifth-wicket partnership worth 120 from 82 deliveries.
“I think when I got to hundred, I looked at how many more runs [were] left to win and thought if I get another 80 runs here, and I think I looked at the balls, I thought if I get about 80 off 40 here, then we’ll get the rest of the runs through everyone else, and I can try to finish 180 not out,” Amelia said. “And that was kind of my thought process in terms of what I needed to do individually. At times you’ve got to take risks, but also at times your partner’s got to take risks, and that’s where Izzy was outstanding.
“There wasn’t run-rate pressure through that middle phase of the game as she was flying. I thought she was amazing. The way she took on the game and just played, it allowed us, I guess, to be where we were at the back end of that game even when she got out.”
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Key contributions around her
Kayley Knight also played an important role in the result. She dismissed Anneke Bosch and Sinalo Jafta, and later remained at the crease alongside Kerr when the winning runs were completed — all on her ODI debut.
“Yeah, Kayley, she’s such a cool character,” Amelia said. “She’s slotted into this group so well, and, yeah, obviously to pick up key wickets, I think she was bowling through a little bit of cramp as well and actually did most of her overs into the wind, so she worked hard for us, and she came out at the end, and she was pretty relaxed also.
“I just spoke to her about what I was kind of thinking in terms of when we run, if we don’t, that type of stuff, but she was cool, calm, and, yeah, she’s a great character, and it showed when she came out to bat there at the end.”
Inspiration from the global stage
The performance capped a remarkable outing for both Kerr and New Zealand, underlining the growing standards in women’s cricket.
“Yeah, very special. I think one thing is seeing the growth of the women’s game and how exciting that is. I think through the 50-over World Cup, seeing the likes of Jemimah Rodrigues and her run chase against Australia, and I think the final, [Laura] Wolvaardt got a 150 [she scored 101 in the final, and 169 in the semi-final batting first], and there were teams chasing big scores over there. And even though it wasn’t us doing it, I guess again seeing that helps you believe that we’re capable of doing it too.
“That was probably in my mind a little bit at the halfway stage, that teams have chased big scores before, so there’s no reason why we can’t. (And I wanted to, I guess, once I got in and got myself set, I felt as though it was my responsibility to take it deep and be there at the end.”
