New Zealand captain Melie Kerr delivered a historic performance, scoring 179 not out from 139 balls to lead the White Ferns to a record-breaking run chase against South Africa. Chasing 347 at Basin Reserve in Wellington, Kerr's innings included 23 fours and a six, with the winning boundary sealing a two-wicket victory with two deliveries remaining.

This chase surpassed India's 339-run pursuit against Australia in last year's Women's World Cup semi-final, establishing a new benchmark in women's ODI history. Kerr, who previously scored 232 not out against Ireland in 2018 to become only the second woman after Belinda Clark to reach a double century, described this knock as her finest. 'It's No 1,' she said of her performance against South Africa, emphasizing her focus on simplifying the chase over each over.

The victory leveled New Zealand's ODI series with South Africa at 1-1, with the final match scheduled for Saturday in Wellington. Kerr's exceptional form extends beyond this match, having also scored a century in the final T20 international of the series, which New Zealand won 4-1. The captain will next turn her attention to The Hundred, where she'll represent MI London in the competition running from July 21 to August 16.