New Zealand create historic chase, break India women’s ODI record

The New Zealand women’s team made history in the second ODI against South Africa at Wellington Basin Reserve, successfully equaling the highest total in women’s ODI history and breaking the record set by India during the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Amelia Kerr New Zealand scored an unbeaten 179 off 139 balls, recording the highest successful chase success rate in women’s ODI history, beating South Africa to level the series.Top 5 most successful chases in Women’s ODIs347 – New Zealand vs South Africa (Wellington, 2026): NZ 350/8339 – India vs Australia (Navi Mumbai, 2025): IND 341/5331 – Australia vs India (Vishakhapatnam, 2025): AUS 331/7302 – Sri Lanka vs South Africa (Potchefstroom, 2024): SL 305/4289 – Australia vs New Zealand (North Sydney, 2012): AUS 289/6India defeated Australia by 5 wickets in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup in Navi Mumbai on October 30, 2025, ahead of New Zealand’s most intense chase against South Africa. India finished with 339 runs at 341/5 with 9 balls remaining, recording the highest success rate in the history of Women’s ODI World Cup. Jemimah Rodrigues scored an unbeaten 127* to lead India into the final.

Match summary: NZW vs SAW

Chasing a daunting 348 runs, New Zealand lost Suzie Bates early, putting immediate pressure on the hosts. Kerr’s 52-run partnership with Georgia Plimmer steadied the innings, but South Africa tightened their grip as New Zealand slid to 130/4 at mid-off.The turning point came with Kerr’s extraordinary collaboration with Isabella Gates. The duo scored 120 runs off just 81 balls, with Gates playing a key supporting role, scoring 68 quick runs off 48 deliveries. Kerr hit his fifth ODI hundred off 90 balls and then accelerated further, hitting 23 fours and a six in a masterclass controlled attack.Kerr’s 120-run partnership with Gates came off just 81 balls and decisively changed the game, with the New Zealand captain picking up her fifth ODI ton off 90 balls before accelerating. Kerr hit 23 fours and a six, first with the bats and then with the attackers, to keep up with the required run-rate, even as wickets fell to her side. It was fitting that she hit the winning boundary to seal the result with a few balls to spare.earlier, Laura Walvater Anneke Bosch added 132 for the second wicket to set the stage for South Africa’s 347-run stand. Tazmin Brits fell early, but the pair steadily rebuilt. Chloe Tryon then smashed an unbeaten 52 off 25 balls to push the total to what looked like the winning score.Brief score:South Africa 346/6 (Bosch 91, Walvat 69, Tryon 52*; Bree Iling 3/60)New Zealand 350/8 (Amelia Kerr 179*; Ayabonga Khaka 3/51)New Zealand won by 2 wickets