What Happened
In a landmark moment for New Zealand women’s cricket, Amelia Kerr, the 25-year-old all-rounder and captain, scored an unbeaten century (101* off 51 balls) in the first T20I against Zimbabwe at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on February 25, 2026. This performance marked her entry into the record books as she became the first player to score a women’s T20I hundred on her captaincy debut. Kerr’s explosive innings included 19 boundaries, leading the White Ferns to a total of 202/1 in 20 overs after being put in to bat by Zimbabwe.
Why It Matters
The victory by 92 runs not only gave New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the historic three-match T20I series but also showcased Kerr’s all-round capabilities, as she took 2 wickets for just 14 runs in her 4 overs. This match was significant as it was the first bilateral white-ball series against Zimbabwe at home. Kerr’s achievement of reaching 1,500 T20I runs during this match further solidified her status as a key player for the White Ferns.
What’s Next
New Zealand will continue their series against Zimbabwe with two more T20 matches before transitioning to a three-match ODI series starting on March 5 in Dunedin. The White Ferns are looking to build on this momentum as they prepare for the upcoming 12-team T20 World Cup scheduled for June-July.
