Halliday leads NZ's commanding win over Zimbabwe

A career-best 157 not out off 118 balls from Brooke Halliday, followed by a clinical bowling display, helped New Zealand begin their ODI series against Zimbabwe in Dunedin with a commanding 180-run victory.

New Zealand posted 354 for 3—their seventh 350-plus total in ODIs, equalling England for the most such scores. In reply, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 174 in 47.3 overs. Kelis Ndhlovu was the lone half-centurion for the visitors, while Amelia Kerr (4-35) and Jess Kerr (3-28) did most of the damage with the ball.

Asked to bat, New Zealand made a steady start through openers Emma McLeod and Amelia Kerr, who added 48 for the first wicket. Zimbabwe struck twice to remove both openers, but Halliday then took charge and sent the bowlers on a leather hunt. She struck 24 fours and a six in her innings, sharing century stands with Maddy Green (67 off 80) and Isabella Gaze (59 not out off 42).

At the end of the 40th over, New Zealand were 237 for 3, with Halliday on 92 off 83. She and Gaze then launched an attacking surge in the final 10 overs, adding 117 runs. Gaze struck 10 fours in her innings as New Zealand finished with a total of 47 boundaries.

Jess Kerr struck early in the chase, removing Modester Mupachikwa, before Ndhlovu and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano put on 93 for the second wicket. The partnership, however, came off 150 deliveries and left Zimbabwe with too much to do. Mugeri-Tiripano was dismissed by Molly Penfold in the 29th over and Ndhlovu fell to Nensi Patel shortly after, leaving Zimbabwe at 142 for 3 in the 36th. From there, wickets fell regularly as Amelia Kerr and Jess Kerr ran through the lower order.

Brief scores: New Zealand 354/3 in 50 overs (Brooke Halliday 157*, Maddy Green 67, Isabella Gaze 59*; Precious Marange 1-52) beat Zimbabwe 174 in 47.3 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 52; Amelia Kerr 4-35, Jess Kerr 3-28) by 180 runs.