NZ Women Win by 110 Runs as Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze Star with the Bat

Opening the batting in T20Is for the first time, Amelia Kerr continued her remarkable form, scoring 82 off 52 balls after her maiden T20I century in the previous game. Alongside wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze, she stitched together a 163-run partnership for the first wicket, the second-highest opening stand for New Zealand in the format.

Gaze was equally impressive, finishing unbeaten on 85 from 54 deliveries, her highest T20I score. Their partnership followed a record 159-run stand for the second wicket in the first match, underlining their growing dominance at the top. New Zealand closed on 196 for 1, although the scoring slowed slightly after Kerr’s dismissal, with only 33 runs coming from the final 23 balls. Izzy Sharp contributed a brisk unbeaten 22 from 14 deliveries to maintain momentum.

Zimbabwe Struggle in Response

Chasing 197, Zimbabwe never seriously threatened the target. Despite losing only two wickets in the powerplay, they managed just 30 runs in that phase. The middle overs proved decisive as they lost seven wickets for 49 runs.

Newcomers Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight impressed with the ball. Knight, making her international debut, claimed her maiden wicket when she dismissed Loryn Phiri, caught and bowled. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 86, with only Kelis Ndhlovu and captain Chiedza Dhururu reaching double figures.

Series Secured, More Cricket Ahead

With this emphatic win, New Zealand secured the three-match T20I series with one game remaining. Zimbabwe, touring New Zealand for the first time, will now shift focus to the upcoming ODI series, their first assignment in the ICC Women’s Championship.

The final T20I will take place on Sunday at the same venue, where New Zealand will look to complete a clean sweep in the Women’s T20I Series 2026.