Amelia Kerr scores 78 and Georgia Plimmer 63 as New Zealand post 190 and beat South Africa by 80 runs

UPDATED: Mar 15, 2026 12:12 PM IST

Melie Kerr, captain of New Zealand takes a catch during game one in the Women's T20 International series between New Zealand and South Africa at Bay Oval on March 15, 2026 in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. (Getty)

Story Highlights:

New Zealand Women crushed South Africa Women by 80 runs.

Amelia Kerr scored 78 off 44 balls vs South Africa.

Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer shone with the bat as New Zealand Women crushed South Africa Women by 80 runs in the first T20I at Mount Maunganui. The pair shared a massive 146-run partnership, the fourth-highest for any New Zealand wicket in women’s T20Is, helping the White Ferns post a challenging total of 190 for 7.

Amelia Kerr flexed her form, smashing 78 runs

Kerr continued her brilliant form, scoring 78 off 44 balls, her fourth consecutive fifty-plus score. She smashed 11 fours and two sixes, timing the ball beautifully and mixing traditional drives with innovative shots, including scoops and shots over the keeper. Plimmer, who made her comeback after recovering from a shoulder injury, took time to settle but finished with a strong 63, keeping the scoring rate high in the middle overs. Their partnership set the platform for a big total, despite losing Izzy Gaze for a run-out without facing a ball.

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South Africa failed to contain the batters on a flat track

South Africa struggled to contain the batters on a flat track. Masabata Klaas bowled well, taking two key wickets with clever variations, but most other bowlers leaked runs. Captain Laura Wolvaardt used eight bowlers in the first nine overs, but none could stem the flow. Despite some late wickets, South Africa never got close, finishing at 110 for 7.

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Jess Kerr struck early, removing both openers in the fourth over, while Sophie Devine ran through the middle and death overs, picking up 4 for 12, her best T20I bowling figures. Tazmin Brits fought for her 29 runs off 35 balls, but the rest of the lineup struggled to build partnerships against disciplined New Zealand bowling.

New Zealand also brought back Suzie Bates after a quadriceps injury. Though she did not bat, she bowled in two spells and finished with figures of 0 for 17. The team appears keen to explore her as a bowling option ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.

The win gave New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Kerr’s brilliant half-century and Devine’s clinical bowling showed the White Ferns are in strong form, setting the tone for the rest of the series.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 190 for 7 (Amelia Kerr 78, Plimmer 63, Klaas 2-15, de Klerk 2-32) beat South Africa 110 for 7 (Brits 29, Devine 4-12, Jess Kerr 2-13) by 80 runs