Amelia Kerr's career-best condemns Zimbabwe to 8-wicket defeat

Amelia Kerr returned career-best figures of 7 for 34 to help New Zealand secure a comfortable 8-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second ODI at the University Oval in Dunedin. It was only the seventh time in the history of women's cricket that a bowler had taken seven wickets in an ODI.

Put in to bat, Zimbabwe made a steady start, playing out the first 10 overs with a scoring rate of 3.5. Kelly Ndhlovu retired hurt, while Modester Mupachikwa ensured a positive start. Molly Penfold provided the first breakthrough in the 11th over, cleaning up Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano. Penfold followed with two more wickets in quick succession to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 48 for 3.

Kerr backed up Penfold's work and took centrestage with her legspin from the 18th over. She began by cleaning up Chiedza Dhururu and then had Mupachikwa stumped on 32.

Four batters were dismissed without scoring. The only resistance came from the ninth-wicket pair of Audrey Mazvishaya and Tendai Makusha, who added 19 runs, helping Zimbabwe cross the 100-run mark before being bowled out for 102.

Kerr backed up her bowling with a breezy 40-ball 45 to lead New Zealand's chase. Izzy Gaze and Maddy Green provided support as New Zealand completed the chase in the 17th over, losing both openers in the process.

Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 102 in 29.1 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 32; Amelia Kerr 7-34, Molly Penfold 3-17) lost to New Zealand 106/2 in 16.2 overs (Amelia Kerr 45*) by 8 wickets.