New Zealand women’s spinner Amelia Kerr outscored the legendary Viv Richards to end a memorable ODI series against Zimbabwe. Kerr got through the West Indies to claim the second spot on the list of most wickets taken by a captain in a bilateral ODI series.
In 1989, Richards took 13 wickets from five matches against India at an economy rate of 4.5.
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In the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe, Kerr picked up 16 wickets from three matches at an economy rate of 4.07. The overall record is held by Pakistan leg-spinner Shaiza Khan, who took 22 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 4.05 against the Netherlands in 2021.
Best bowling figures from a captain in a bilateral ODI series
- Shaiza Khan (Pakistan Women) – 22 wickets against Netherlands, 2001
- Amelia Kerr (New Zealand Women) – 16 goals vs. Zimbabwe, 2026
- Suthershini Sivanantham (Sri Lanka Women) – 15 wickets vs. West Indies, 2003
- Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies Men) – 13 wickets vs. India, 1989
AMELIA KERR SHINES AS THE CAPTAIN
Amelia Kerr produced a remarkable all-round performance during the white-ball series against Zimbabwe, dominating both T20Is and ODIs with bat and ball.
Kerr started the tour in sensational fashion in the opening T20I in Hamilton, she smashed an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls – her maiden century in the format. The innings, which included 19 boundaries, guided New Zealand to a convincing 92-run victory.
She also contributed with the ball, returning figures of 2 for 14 in four overs to cap a perfect start to her captaincy.
Her dominance continued in the ODI series. In the second ODI in Dunedin, Kerr produced one of the best bowling performances in New Zealand women’s history, taking 7 wickets for 34 runs to bowl Zimbabwe out for just 102.
She then finished the job with the bat, scoring 45 off 40 balls to guide New Zealand to an eight-wicket victory.
Kerr also created a memorable moment in the ODI final, taking a hat-trick in a five-wicket haul as New Zealand completed a dominant run.
Overall, Kerr played a decisive role with both bat and ball, underscoring her status as one of the game’s premier all-rounders and the driving force behind New Zealand’s comprehensive series triumph.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
11 March 2026 17:17 IST
