Halliday’s Maiden ODI Century, Kerr Sisters Star as New Zealand Thrash Zimbabwe

 

Brooke Halliday smashed a superb maiden ODI century while the Kerr sisters combined for seven wickets as New Zealand women's national cricket team thrashed Zimbabwe women's national cricket team by 180 runs in the first ODI in Dunedin.

Halliday produced a magnificent unbeaten 157 off 118 balls, the joint third-highest score by a New Zealand women’s batter in ODIs, powering the hosts to a formidable 354 for 3 after Zimbabwe opted to bowl. The massive total proved far beyond Zimbabwe’s reach as they were eventually bowled out for 174 in 47.3 overs, suffering their largest defeat by runs in ODI history.

New Zealand lost early wickets when captain Amelia Kerr (15) and Emma McLeod (35) departed within the first 16 overs, briefly giving Zimbabwe hope. However, Halliday and Maddy Green steadied the innings with a crucial 121-run partnership, putting the hosts firmly in control.

Green struck a fluent 67, reaching her half-century off 65 balls before she was run out shortly after New Zealand crossed the 200-run mark. Halliday continued to dominate, reaching her century in 93 balls before accelerating dramatically in the closing stages.

She then shared an explosive 151-run unbroken partnership with Izzy Gaze, who contributed a quickfire 59 not out. The pair plundered runs in the final overs as New Zealand added 117 runs in the last ten overs, recording their highest ODI total against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe made a decent start to the chase through Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (38) and Kelis Ndhlovu (52), who shared a 93-run stand for the second wicket. Ndhlovu reached her fifty but fell immediately after, triggering a collapse.

Amelia Kerr then dismantled the middle order with 4 for 35, while her sister Jess Kerr claimed 3 for 28 to seal a comprehensive victory and give New Zealand a winning start to the ODI series.