India World Cup mark gone as New Zealand clinch record chase

New Zealand skipper Melie Kerr was once again the hero as New Zealand pulled off a record run chase in the second ODI against South Africa in Wellington.

Kerr scored an amazing 179 not out from just 139 deliveries as the White Ferns surpassed India's record for the highest successful run chase in women's ODIs as they chased down the Proteas' mammoth total of 346/6 with two balls remaining.

“Pretty special. I think at the halfway mark we were probably disappointed with our effort in the field and but always we knew it was a good wicket and you're always in the game,” Kerr said in the post-match presentation.

“I think that was the key that when we're in the changing room we still believed we could win and once I got in I knew I had to keep going.”

Kerr’s 120-run partnership with Izzy Gaze was crucial, with the latter coming in when the scoreboard read 130/4 at the halfway mark. Kerr was quick to appreciate Gaze’s quick knock of 68.

“Izzy was awesome. It kind of allowed me to bat but still be positive," Kerr added.

“She took on a lot of risks and boundaries which put a lot of pressure off me so we were able to build quite a significant partnership after losing two key wickets with Maddy (Green) and Brooke (Halliday) and the way she played was outstanding. She was in her own zone.”

The successful run chase surpassed the previous best that India record in last year's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup final when they scored 341/5 in reply to Australia's total of 338 in Navi Mumbai.

After leading the charge in a record chase, Kerr underlined the belief within the group and the growth of the game.

“You think of where women's cricket was when I started for New Zealand and 220 was about par and to then chase down 350 today just shows how far the game has come,” she said

“Also the way South Africa played, you see their ball strikers and then again for us in the changing room to believe.

"A lot of that also comes from our batting coaches and the support staff to have full faith that yes we would have loved to chase less but that we can chase big scores like that.”

The White Ferns had Kerr to thank for the new record chase, with New Zealand's new skipper in fine touch as she scored her fifth ODI century in quick fashion and them made it look easy when scoring the 11 runs required from the final over bowler by Nadine de Klerk.

Kerr hit two fours from the opening two deliveries of the final over as she brought up the highest score in New Zealand in women's ODIs and then repeated the dose later in the over to clinch the result.

The win also hands New Zealand two important ICC Women's Championship points on the road to Cricket World Cup 2029.