Smriti Mandhana retains top spot in women's ODI rankings India’s star batter Smriti Mandhana has retained the top position in the latest ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings, released on Tuesday. Her captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, also maintained her spot at eighth place. However, Jemimah Rodrigues dropped one rank to 12th after India’s 0-3 ODI series loss to Australia. New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr emerged as a standout performer, leading her team’s impressive form in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Kerr, the new captain of the White Ferns, showcased her all-round capabilities with a four-wicket haul in the opening match and a seven-wicket innings in the second game, becoming only the seventh player in women’s ODI history to achieve this feat. Her stellar bowling helped her climb five places to 11th in the ICC Women’s ODI Bowling Rankings and move up one spot to fifth in the All-Rounder Rankings. Kerr’s success was mirrored by other New Zealand players. Brooke Halliday surged eight places to 11th after scoring an unbeaten 157* in the series opener, while Maddy Green climbed four spots to joint 22nd in the batting rankings. Green contributed 67 in the first match and followed it with an unbeaten 27 in the second. The ICC Women’s T20I Rankings also saw notable changes following the completion of the West Indies’ three-match home series against Sri Lanka. Hasini Perera, the left-handed opener, scored an unbeaten half-century to help Sri Lanka secure the series win, climbing 15 places to 28th in the batting rankings. Young batter Imesha Dulani moved up 17 spots to joint 72nd after an unbeaten 34 in the decider. Kavisha Dilhari, the all-rounder, improved her bowling rankings by three places to 21st and her all-rounders’ list by two spots to 11th.#new_zealand #smriti_mandhana #harmanpreet_kaur #amelia_kerr #jemimah_rodrigues
Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine led New Zealand to an emphatic 80-run victory over South Africa in the opening T20I of a three-match series at Bay Oval on Sunday. The White Ferns' dominant all-round performance secured a 1-0 series lead after piling up 190/7 in their 20-over innings, supported by a blistering half-century from Kerr and a fluent 63 from opener Georgia Plimmer. South Africa's early struggles began with Isabella Gaze's run-out in the first over, but Plimmer steadied the innings with a brisk 63, sharing a 146-run partnership with Kerr for the second wicket. Kerr's 78 off 44 balls, featuring 11 fours and two sixes, anchored New Zealand's total, while contributions from Sophie Devine (12), Brooke Halliday (13), and Maddy Green (10) kept the momentum alive. The hosts reached 190/7, with Devine's four-wicket haul and Jess Kerr's wicket-taking spell further dismantling the Proteas' batting order. South Africa's response was lackluster, as they collapsed to 17/2 in four overs after opener Sune Luus and captain Laura Wolvaardt fell cheaply. Tazmin Brits (29) and Chloe Tryon (9 off 12 balls) attempted a recovery, but regular wickets prevented meaningful progress. Devine's 4/12 in her four overs proved decisive, while Jess Kerr's 13-run return and two wickets further restricted the visitors. South Africa ended at 110/7, unable to match New Zealand's total. The match highlighted New Zealand's batting depth and Devine's return to form as a key bowler, while South Africa's inability to capitalize on early setbacks underscored their challenges in the format.#new_zealand #south_africa #sophie_devine #amelia_kerr #bay_oval
New Zealand Women Dominate South Africa in T20I Series Opener New Zealand Women secured a commanding 80-run victory over South Africa Women in the first T20I of their series in Mount Maunganui, extending their winning streak. The match was highlighted by Amelia Kerr’s stellar batting and Sophie Devine’s impressive four-wicket haul, marking a significant moment in the team’s campaign. Kerr, the New Zealand captain, delivered a masterclass with a composed 78 off 44 balls, continuing her impressive run of consecutive 40+ scores in T20Is. Her innings, supported by Georgia Plimmer’s first T20I fifty since the 2022 World Cup, helped the hosts post a formidable total of 190/7. Plimmer, returning from injury, showcased her power with three sixes, including a boundary that stretched the leg-side fence. The duo’s partnership laid the foundation for a strong total, with New Zealand comfortably ahead after 13 overs. South Africa Women struggled to respond, unable to match the pace of New Zealand’s bowling attack. Jess Kerr’s disciplined line and length restricted the visitors early, leading to an early collapse. Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt fell in quick succession, with Wolvaardt dismissed for a duck in her 40th T20I appearance. The loss of key players dented South Africa’s momentum, leaving them to chase a target that seemed increasingly out of reach. Sophie Devine’s four-wicket return was pivotal in dismantling South Africa’s batting lineup. Her clever use of pace changes and variations kept the batters guessing, with Tazmin Brits and Kayla Reyneke falling to her sharp bowling. Devine’s figures of 4-12 marked her best performance in a 20-year T20I career, while Masabata Klaas’ 2-15 and Nadine de Klerk’s 2-32 further tightened the screws on the South African innings.#sophie_devine #amelia_kerr #new_zealand_women #south_africa_women #mount_maunganui
New Zealand Women Dominate South Africa in Thrilling T20I Debut New Zealand Women secured a commanding 80-run victory over South Africa Women in the first T20I of the series at Mount Maunganui on March 15, 2026, with Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer leading the charge. The hosts posted 190 for 7, capitalizing on a dominant batting display, while South Africa struggled to reach the target of 200, finishing at 110 for 7. The win gave New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Kerr and Plimmer formed a partnership worth 146 runs, the fourth-highest for New Zealand in women’s T20Is, as they laid the foundation for a formidable total. Kerr scored 78 off 78 balls, striking 11 fours and two sixes, with 56 of her runs coming from boundaries. Her innings was marked by precision and innovation, including a deft scoop over the keeper and a low clearance to midwicket. Plimmer added 63, maintaining a high scoring rate through the middle overs, and the duo’s dominance stifled South Africa’s chase. New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, with Jess Kerr and Sophie Devine spearheading the attack. Kerr removed two key South African batters in the early stages, while Devine claimed four wickets for 12 runs, marking her best T20I figures. Devine’s pace-off deliveries and ability to exploit gaps proved crucial, as she dismissed key South African players including Chloe Tryon and Tazmin Brits. Klaas, South Africa’s only consistent bowler, took two wickets but struggled to contain the New Zealand attack. South Africa’s innings was marred by poor execution and a lack of momentum. They lost both openers, Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt, to Kerr in the fourth over, and managed only 19 runs in the powerplay.#georgia_plimmer #amelia_kerr #new_zealand_women #south_africa_women #jess_kerr
ZIM-W in New Zealand 2025/26, NZ-W vs ZIM-W 3rd ODI Match Report, March 11, 2026 - Amelia Kerr's all-round brilliance seals NZ's 3-0 sweep over Zimbabwe New Zealand secured a dominant 200-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third women’s One-Day International (ODI) at Dunedin on March 11, 2026, completing a 3-0 series sweep. The match marked a standout performance from Amelia Kerr, who led the attack with a hat-trick and anchored the innings with a crucial half-century. Batting first, New Zealand posted a total of 303 for 6 in 50 overs. Kerr scored 80 off 106 balls, hitting ten fours, while Maddy Green contributed 94 off 73 deliveries with 12 boundaries. Brooke Halliday added 40, and Isabella Gaze finished unbeaten on 18 to push the total past 300. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to contain the New Zealand attack, with Christabel Chatonzwa taking 2 for 48 and other pacers claiming one wicket each. Zimbabwe’s chase collapsed under pressure, as they were bowled out for 103 in 27.1 overs. Loreen Tshuma scored 34 off 41 balls, but the team’s batting lacked consistency, with frequent wickets falling. Rosemary Mair and Nensi Patel took two wickets each, while Kerr dominated the final phase, claiming five wickets in 3.1 overs. Her hat-trick, which removed Audrey Mazvishaya, Tendai Makusha, and Nomvelo Sibanda in the 24th over, sealed the result. Kerr’s all-round heroics earned her both Player of the Match and Player of the Series accolades. She finished the series with 140 runs and 16 wickets, showcasing her impact as New Zealand’s new captain. The victory solidified New Zealand’s dominance in the series, with the team now set to face South Africa in a five-match T20I series starting March 15.#nz_w #zim_w #amelia_kerr #dunedin #odi_match
