New Zealand women cricketer Amelia Kerr don create history for T20 International cricket as she become di first player for men or women to score 30-plus runs for 10 consecutive innings. Di 25-year-old all-rounder achieve dis milestone for Wellington on Sunday as New Zealand women beat South Africa women by six wickets to take 3-1 lead for dia five-match series.
Kerr score 31 runs from 29 balls for di match wey she also take 1/32 with ball. Her performance help New Zealand chase down South Africa’s total of 159/6 with nine balls to spare. Former captain Sophie Devine also contribute 64 runs from 34 balls for di victory wey make New Zealand women series winners with one match still to play.
Di record-breaking run by Amelia Kerr begin with 43 runs against South Africa for 2024, followed by unbeaten 51 against Australia for 2025. She continue with scores of 40, 66, 101*, 82, 78, 32, 30 and 31 across different series. For dis 10-match streak, Kerr don accumulate 554 runs with strike rate of 142 while also taking 12 wickets with economy rate of 6.74.
Meanwhile, for di men’s T20 series between South Africa and New Zealand, di Proteas don level di five-match contest at 2-2 after 19-run victory for Wellington on Sunday. South Africa post 164/5 after batting first, with wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen top-scoring with 57 runs from 36 balls.
New Zealand start di chase well but collapse from 88/3 after 10 overs to finish all out for 145 runs inside 19 overs. South Africa spinners Keshav Maharaj and debutant Prenelan Subrayen turn di match with tight bowling spells. Maharaj take 2/22 from his four overs while Subrayen finish with impressive figures of 2/13 from three overs.
Proteas captain Keshav Maharaj praise his young team’s response after two consecutive losses. “Na perfect response to two disappointing losses wey we get,” Maharaj talk. “You fit see say we get more energy and hunger for dis match. We be young team wey dey find our way for international cricket, so e dey take small time.”
For New Zealand innings, opener Tim Robinson top-score with 32 runs while Gerald Coetzee take 3/31 for South Africa. Ottneil Baartman also contribute with two wickets as New Zealand lose seven wickets for just 57 runs during di middle overs.
Earlier for South Africa innings, Esterhuizen get good support from Tony de Zorzi (28) and Rubin Hermann (28*) as di visitors recover from early loss of Wiaan Mulder. New Zealand bowler Kyle Jamieson take 2/29 while Ben Sears impress with 1/22 from four overs, including final over wey cost just two runs.
Di series decider go hold for Christchurch on Wednesday as both teams dey prepare for final showdown. For women’s series, di final match go also hold dis week as South Africa women dey look to salvage pride after series loss.
Di performances of Amelia Kerr and South Africa spinners don highlight di growing depth of talent for international T20 cricket. Kerr’s record-breaking consistency and di Proteas’ comeback victory show say both teams get quality players wey fit perform under pressure.
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