Source: Radio New Zealand
White Ferns captain Melie Kerr walks from the field after their win. Marty Melville
Melie Kerr rates her unbeaten 179, that helped her the White Ferns to the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history, as the greatest innings of her career.
Chasing 347 to win Wednesday’s second one-dayer against South Africa at the Basin Reserve, the New Zealand captain hit a six and 23 fours as the hosts reached the victory target with two wickets and two balls to spare to level the three-match series 1-1.
It was the second-highest score of Kerr’s ODI career behind her 232 not out against Ireland in 2018, but she said her most recent knock was the most satisfying.
“It’s number one,” Kerr said.
“To get a big hundred like that in a big chase against a quality side is definitely number one.”
White Ferns captain Melie Kerr salutes the crowd. Marty Melville
Kerr said with such a large total to chase down, she tried not to overthink things.
“I was really calm out there and just was so focused on simplifying it to each over and where we needed to be to get the job done.”
The White Ferns needed 11 runs off the final over to win and Kerr hit a four off the first ball to put New Zealand in the drivers seat. The hosts were left needing one run off the final three balls to win and Kerr duly smacked a boundary to seal victory and finish on 179 not out from 139 balls.
Kerr said she struggled to contain her excitement after taking her side past the victory target.
“I thought because I was pretty calm that I wouldn’t show too much emotion. But when I did hit the winning runs, I was actually pretty fizzed,” Kerr said.
“I guess it shows how much it means to me. I’m a pretty relaxed character with celebrations and all that stuff. But that was special. And to make the series go 1-1 as well, it was an important game. There are important points, and it means a lot.”
Kerr’s last 79 runs came off 49 balls and she combined with half century maker Izzy Gaze for a partnership of 120 in 82 balls for the fifth wicket.
White Ferns captain Melie Kerr plays a shot. Marty Melville
Kerr said recent results among other teams helped her believe the White Ferns could pull off the highest successful run chase in women’s ODI history.
“Through the 50-over World Cup, seeing the likes of Jemimah Rodrigues and her run chase against Australia, and I think the final, [Laura] Woolvardt got a 150, and there were teams chasing big scores over there. And even though it wasn’t us doing it, I guess again seeing that helps you believe that we’re capable of doing it too.
“I think when I got to hundred, I looked at how many more runs [were] left to win and thought if I get another 80 runs here, and I think I looked at the balls, I thought if I get about 80 off 40 here, then we’ll get the rest of the runs through everyone else, and I can try to finish 180 not out.
“And that was kind of my thought process in terms of what I needed to do individually. At times you’ve got to take risks, but also at times your partner’s got to take risks, and that’s where Izzy was outstanding.
“There wasn’t run-rate pressure through that middle phase of the game as she was flying. I thought she was amazing. The way she took on the game and just played, it allowed us, I guess, to be where we were at the back end of that game even when she got out.”
The third and deciding game is on Saturday in Wellington and Kerr said the White Ferns are determined to finish their home summer with a one-day series win.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
