Cricket: White Ferns chase down 347 as Amelia Kerr hits stunning 179 to beat South Africa in second ODI

Earlier, South Africa made 346 for six with Anneke Bosch (91 from 90), Laura Wolvaardt (69 from 74) and Chloe Tryon (52 from 25) all making half-centuries. Bree Illing was the best of the New Zealand bowlers with 3-60.

The previous highest chase was 341 by India against Australia at last year’s Cricket World Cup, and it looked a tall order for New Zealand when Suzie Bates was dismissed in the fifth over for eight.

Enter Kerr, who brought up her fifth ODI ton and second against South Africa in the 35th over with New Zealand still 136 runs shy of the target.

She kept her composure as wickets fell around her, including those of her sister Jess, who hit a six and a four before holing out, leaving 17 needed from the final two overs. When Rosemary Mair departed a few balls later, caught at deep mid on, debutant Kayley Knight played out a single off her first ball to keep Kerr on strike.

The captain then ensured she retained strike for the final over before finishing off one of the great innings in New Zealand cricket history.

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