Online Reporter
DUNEDIN — Amelia Kerr first took seven wickets and then scored a 40-ball 45 to lead a dominant New Zealand to an eight-wicket win in the second of their three women’s cricket ODIs against Zimbabwe in Dunedin and give them the series with a game in hand yesterday.
After Brooke Halliday’s 157 not out had given New Zealand the lead in the series, after they had blanked Zimbabwe in the T20Is 3-0, captain Amelia took centre stage in the second game.
She won the toss at University Oval, and after Kelis Ndhlovu had retired hurt to put a stop to what seemed like a promising opening stand with Modester Mupachikwa, worth 25 runs, ran through the Zimbabwe innings with Molly Penfold for company.
Penfold struck first and got on a wicket-taking spree between the 11th and 15th overs, removing Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Beloved Biza and Loreen Tshuma with her medium pace to leave the visiting side at 48 for 3.
Amelia took over after that. Her first wicket, that of Chiedza Dhururu, came in the 18th over, and Zimbabwe had been bowled out by the 30th, all the wickets going to Amelia.
After the opening partnership, the only one of any substance came for the ninth wicket, between Audrey Mazvishaya and Tendai Makusha, worth 19. Between the two stands, no one got into double-digits. Amelia finished with 7 for 34 to go with Penfold’s 3 for 17.
It wasn’t really a target that would threaten New Zealand, and thought they lost Isabella Gaze in the sixth over for a 22-ball 20, in an opening stand of 34 with Amelia, there wasn’t really any sort of contest on. Amelia slammed six fours and a six in her 40-ball 45, and by the time she was sent back, in the 13th over, exactly 20 runs were left for the win.
Maddy Green and Halliday knocked those off without any fuss.
The entire match lasted just 45.3 overs. The final ODI will be played on Wednesday. — ESPNcricinfo
