New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr made history by becoming the fastest cricketer from a full-fledged country to complete the double of 1,000-plus runs and 100-plus wickets in women’s T20Is. The 25-year-old reached the milestone in her 94th match during the second T20I against South Africa on Tuesday, March 17 at Seddon Park.
Overall, in both men’s and women’s cricket, Hong Kong’s Kary Chan remains the fastest to the milestone, having achieved it in 74 innings. Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is second, having done so in 84 innings.
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Among the players from full-fledged countries, Deepti Sharma, Nida Dar, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine and Hayley Matthews are also on the elite list. For New Zealand, Kerr became the third player after Devin and men’s captain Mitchell Santner to do so.
Kerr also became only the second White Ferns bowler after Devine to take 100 wickets in women’s T20Is. She returned figures of 4-0-29-2 against South Africa, dismissing openers Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits.
AMELIA KERR’S FUTURE EFFORTS
Kerr put in a brave all-round performance but her efforts ultimately went in vain as New Zealand Women suffered an 18-run defeat. Chasing a target of 178, Kerr kept New Zealand in the contest with a brisk 32 off just 18 balls, smashing six boundaries at 177.77.
Batting at No.3, she looked sublime and provided momentum after the early dismissals of Georgia Plimmer and Isabella Gaze. However, her wicket in the seventh over proved to be a crucial turning point as New Zealand lost control of the chase and were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19.1 overs.
Kerr also suffered her first defeat as full-time White Ferns captain after taking over from Sophie Devine. Under her leadership, New Zealand swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in both the T20I and ODI series before carrying that form into the Proteas series with an 80-run win in the opening T20I. However, they were unable to maintain this momentum in Hamilton.
The White Ferns will now look to bounce back when they face South Africa again at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday 20 March.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
17 March 2026 16:04 IST
