New Zealand captain slams 2nd T20I century within few weeks, takes 2/6 as South Africa lose series 4-1

New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr scripted history at Hagley Oval, Christchurch with her second T20I ton within a few weeks. The 25-year-old all-rounder became first New Zealand batter to score two T20I centuries. Amelia scored 105 against South Africa in the fifth and final T20I of the series, leading her team to a 4-1 series win. Chasing a target of 195, South Africa managed to post 102/9 and lost by 92 runs.

Amelia is also the fifth captain to score two or more centuries in T20Is (among full-member nations). Only Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu is ahead of the White Ferns skipper.

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Slow start from White Ferns

In the fifth T20I, South Africa skipper Laura won the toss and opted to bowl first. Ayabonga Khaka struck early, dismissing Isabella Gaze for a single. Amelia took her time whereas Georgia Plimmer used the powerplay overs. After powerplay overs, New Zealand were 35/1. In the ninth over, Tumi Sekhukhune struck twice to get rid of Georgia and Sophie Devine off consecutive deliveries. Georgia scored 27 runs from 26 deliveries. Amelia accelerated in the middle overs. In the 13th over, she reached her fifty from 34 balls.

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Amelia turns the game upside down

Ayabonga returned to dismiss Brooke Halliday for a 24-ball 26 in the 16th over. In the next over, Tumni got the wicket of Maddy Green. In the slog overs, Amelia went berserk. She reached her century with three consecutive fours off Masabata Klaas in the penultimate over. She took 52 balls to reach the milestone. In the penultimate over, Ayabonga made Amelia her third victim. The skipper hit 19 fours and a six in her 55-ball 105. Jess Kerr finished the innings with a six, helping hosts post 194/6.

No fight in run chase

In the run chase, surprisingly, Chloe Tryon walked out to open alongside Sune Luus for the second consecutive time. Lea Tahuhu got rid of Chloe with her first ball. Then, Nensi Patel dismissed Sune for a 11-ball 13 in the fourth over. Anneke Bosch hit two consecutive fours before falling to Lea. In the sixth over, skipper Laura departed for a single-digit score to Sophie. South Africa were 41/4 after powerplay overs. 

South Africa couldn't get the run chase back on track. Amelia introduced herself and knocked over Nadine de Klerk in the ninth over. In her next over, Amelia ended Annerie Dercksen's stay at the crease as well. Then Sophie dismissed Karaba Meso for a golden duck. Flora Devonshire joined the party by getting the wicket of Kayla Reyneke. Lea returned to take the wicket of Masabata. South Africa lost nine wickets for 89 runs in the 17th over. But Ayabonga and Tumi prevented them from getting bowled out. South Africa managed 102/9 in 20 overs and lost by 92 runs.