Dunedin, March 8 (UNI) Melie Kerr produced a historic bowling performance with a seven-wicket haul as New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe in the second ODI at University Oval in Dunedin on Sunday.
Kerr returned figures of 7/34 to bundle out Zimbabwe for just 102, breaking the 44-year-old record held by Jackie Lord, whose 6/10 against India at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 1982 had previously been the best bowling performance by a New Zealand woman in ODIs.
It was only the seventh instance of a seven-wicket haul in women’s ODIs. Kerr joined an elite list that includes Sajjida Shah of Pakistan, Jo Chamberlain of England, Anisa Mohammed of the West Indies, and the Australian trio Alana King, Ellyse Perry, and Shelley Nitschke, as per the International Cricket Council (ICC) website.
Earlier, Molly Penfold claimed three wickets for 17 runs to remove Zimbabwe’s top order and leave the visitors struggling at 48 for three.
Kerr then took charge after being introduced into the attack, beginning the collapse by bowling Chiedza Dhururu. She went on to dismiss Modester Mupachikwa, Christabel Chatonzwa, Adel Zimunu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Audrey Mazvishaya, and Tendai Makusha in quick succession as the hosts tightened their grip on the contest.
Kerr also made a key contribution with the bat, top-scoring with 45 in the chase as New Zealand comfortably secured an eight-wicket victory.
The win gave the White Ferns an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
