New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr broke a world record against South Africa on Sunday, achieving a third consecutive T20I fifty.
The record was set in the first T20I between the two sides at Mount Maunganui.
Kerr’s Record-Breaking Innings
Kerr, batting at No.3, came to the crease after Izzy Gaze was run out off the first ball. She hit her first ball for four. By the end of the powerplay, Kerr was on 31 off 15.
She reached her fifty in the 10th over, marking her eighth T20I fifty. Kerr and Georgia Plimmer then put on 146 for the second wicket. Kerr was eventually dismissed for 78 off 44, caught by Sinalo Jafta off the bowling of Masabata Klaas.
The innings marked Kerr’s seventh consecutive score of 40 or more in T20Is. It was also her third fifty-plus score in a row, following scores of 101* (51) and 82 (52) against Zimbabwe.
New Zealand Captaincy Record
These three T20Is, along with scores of 35 and five in 2023 and 2024, mean Kerr’s tally as a T20I captain stands at 301 runs. This is the most after five T20I innings for any player. Romania’s Rebecca Blake previously held the women’s record with 250 runs.
- Kerr made 140 runs and took 16 wickets in three ODIs against Zimbabwe.
- She had previously stood in as captain, scoring 35 and five in 2023 and 2024.
- Kerr took over from Sophie Devine as New Zealand’s permanent all-format captain.
Devine is also in the top ten with 217 runs in her first five innings. She scored 77, 105 and 75 not out in her next three matches.
Kerr’s New Zealand took on South Africa in the first T20I between the sides at Mount Maunganui.