Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze Star as New Zealand Clinch T20I Series

Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze Star as New Zealand Clinch T20I Series

Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze produced commanding performances to power New Zealand women's cricket team to a crushing 110-run victory over Zimbabwe women's cricket team in the second T20I in Hamilton, sealing the three-match series with a game to spare.

Kerr’s tenure as full-time captain began with a 92-run win two nights earlier, and her side followed it up with an even more dominant display to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Opening the batting in T20 Internationals for the first time, Kerr blazed 82 off just 52 balls, continuing her rich vein of form after scoring her maiden T20I century in the series opener. Alongside wicketkeeper-batter Gaze, she stitched together a commanding 163-run stand for the opening wicket — the second-highest partnership for New Zealand in women’s T20Is. The pair had also shared a record 159-run stand for the second wicket in the previous match.

Gaze remained unbeaten on 85 from 54 deliveries, her highest score in the format, as New Zealand posted 196 for 1. However, after Kerr’s dismissal, the hosts managed only 33 runs from the final 23 balls, with Izzy Sharp contributing an unbeaten 22 off 14 deliveries.

Zimbabwe, touring New Zealand for the first time, never mounted a serious challenge in reply and were bowled out for 86. Although they lost just two wickets in the powerplay, they managed only 30 runs in that phase and struggled to build momentum.

The visitors collapsed in the middle overs, losing 7 wickets for 49 runs as newcomers Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight made immediate impacts. Knight, on international debut, claimed her maiden wicket by dismissing Loryn Phiri with a caught-and-bowled effort.

Only Kelis Ndhlovu and captain Chiedza Dhururu reached double figures for Zimbabwe in an otherwise disappointing batting display.

Following the T20I series, Zimbabwe will contest a three-match ODI series — their first as part of the ICC Women’s Championship. The third and final T20I will be played on Sunday at the same venue in Hamilton.