Dunedin: Brooke Halliday’s unbeaten century followed by Amelia Kerr’s four-wicket haul helped New Zealand to a 180-run win in the first women’s ODI of the three-match home series against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe captain Nomvelo Sibanda’s decision to field first backfired as the home side amassed 354/3 in their 50 overs, courtesy of Halliday’s monumental knock.
The left-handed middle-order led New Zealand’s batting with an unbeaten 157 off just 118 balls with 24 fours and a six, earning him the Man of the Match award.
Maddie Green and wicketkeeper-batsman Isabella Case scored an unbeaten 67 off 80 balls and an unbeaten 59 off 42 balls in support of Brooke Holliday.
Precious Marange and Christabel Sadonswa took one wicket each for Zimbabwe.
Chasing a tough target of 355, the Gales were bowled out for 174 in 47.3 overs despite a half-century from Ndlovu.
Ndlovu top scored for the visitors with 52 off 109 balls with 2 fours and a six.
Apart from him, fellow top-order batsman Sipo Mugheri-Tribano (38) and No.4 Billowt Pisa (29) could also muster double figures against an Amelia-led New Zealand bowling attack that took four wickets for just 35 runs in its 10 overs.
Amelia was supported by her sister Jess Kerr, who took three wickets for 28 runs in her 8.3 overs, while Molly Penfold claimed two wickets.
New Zealand have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against Zimbabwe by 180 runs, with the second match scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.