Captain Kerr slams maiden T20I ton as New Zealand thrash Zimbabwe

New Zealand's new full-time captain Amelia Kerr could not have scripted a better beginning, smashing her maiden T20I hundred to set up a thumping 92-run victory over Zimbabwe in the series opener in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Asked to bat first, New Zealand piled up an imposing 202 for 1, built around Kerr's unbeaten 101 off just 51 deliveries and Izzy Gaze's breezy 66 not out off 50. The hosts lost opener Georgia Plimmer inside the powerplay for a brisk 20-ball 33, dismissed by Nyasha Gwanzura, but that proved to be Zimbabwe's only breakthrough of the innings.

Kerr and Gaze then combined for a dominant, unbroken second-wicket partnership of 159 from just 89 balls, completely neutralising the Zimbabwe attack. The stand was also New Zealand's highest for the second wicket in the format, breaking the record of 142 between Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine. Kerr struck 19 fours in her innings and brought up her century off the final ball of the innings, scampering back for two against pace bowler Tendai Makusha. In doing so, she became only the third New Zealand woman to score a T20I hundred, after Devine and Bates. Kerr's innings was also the quickest of the three.

Zimbabwe's chase never gained momentum. Openers Kelis Ndhlovu and Nyasha Gwanzura were dismissed for ducks within the first two overs, bowled by Bree Illing and Jess Kerr respectively. Beloved Biza top-scored with a patient and unbeaten 49 off 55 balls and shared a 50-run stand with captain Josephine Nkomo, but the required rate continued to climb beyond reach. Zimbabwe eventually closed on 110 for 4, falling well short.

Amelia Kerr capped a memorable outing by shining with the ball as well, finishing with 2 for 14 from her four overs.

This was only the fourth T20I that New Zealand played without either of Bates and Devine in the XI. Bates missed the series due to quadricep injury while Devine was not available.

This is also the first time Zimbabwe and New Zealand are playing an international series. The three T20Is in Hamilton will be followed by three ODIs in Dunedin.