Melie Kerr breaks T20I world record with 10 consecutive 30-plus scores New Zealand captain Melie Kerr has set a new world record for the most consecutive 30-plus scores in women’s T20I cricket, surpassing the previous mark of nine. The achievement came during the team’s series against South Africa in 2026, where Kerr’s consistent performances helped secure a 3-1 series lead. Her latest innings, a 29-ball 31, marked her 10th consecutive 30-plus score in the format, a feat that has never been matched before. Kerr’s dominance continued throughout the series, with standout performances in each match. In the opening game at Mount Maunganui, she scored 78 off 44 balls, followed by a 32 off 18 balls at Hamilton and a 30 off 28 balls at Auckland. In the fourth T20I at Wellington, she played a crucial role in restricting South Africa to 159-6, taking 1-32 in four overs. After opener Issy Gaze fell early, Kerr came to the crease and scored 31 off 29 balls, supporting Sophie Devine’s 64 off 34 balls to guide New Zealand to a six-wicket victory with nine balls to spare. The record Kerr now holds was previously set by Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu and Romania’s Rebecca Blake, who each managed nine consecutive 30-plus scores. Blake’s remarkable run prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to update its ratings system in 2025, recognizing the growing impact of high-scoring performances in T20Is. Kerr’s achievement not only highlights her individual brilliance but also underscores the evolving standards in the format. Across her 10 consecutive innings, Kerr has amassed 554 runs at a strike rate of 142, averaging over 55 per match. Her all-round contributions extend beyond batting, as she has also taken 12 wickets at an economy rate of 6.74 per over.#new_zealand #south_africa #mount_maunganui #melie_kerr #hamilton
South Africa tear through New Zealand to win first T20 A revamped South Africa team dismantled New Zealand's batting order to secure a comfortable seven-wicket victory in their first Twenty20 international, finishing with 20 balls remaining. The Proteas dominated the match at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval, dismissing the hosts for 91 in the 15th over, marking their 10th lowest total in T20 history. South Africa responded with ease, reaching 93-3 in reply. Opener Connor Esterhuizen, making his international debut, played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 45 off 48 balls, ensuring an early series advantage. Four South African players made their international debuts across all formats, including teenage pace bowler Nqobani Mokoena, who impressed with his pace and movement. The 19-year-old took 3-26 in 3.3 overs, dismantling New Zealand's tail to prevent them from surpassing 100. Mokoena described his debut as a "cool" experience, crediting his teammates for their support. Fellow fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman each claimed two wickets for South Africa. The match followed New Zealand's T20 World Cup final loss to India, with the Kiwis resting most of their star players. Captain Mitchell Santner and allrounder Jimmy Neesham were retained, but the rest of the squad was rested. Santner took 1-8 in four overs, while Neesham scored 26 before falling to Mokoena. South Africa's last encounter with New Zealand was a World Cup semi-final defeat, with spinner Keshav Maharaj, the only survivor from that match, now leading the team as captain. This was Maharaj's 50th T20 international. The series continues with a second match in Hamilton on Tuesday.#new_zealand #south_africa #mount_maunganui #bay_oval #keshav_maharaj
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
