New Zealand Cricketer Amelia Kerr Breaks 21-year-old ODI Record

On Wednesday, New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr, 17, hit a world record of 232 not out; the highest score in women’s ODI. She was playing in the third one-day international in Dublin, against Ireland in a substantial game and then picked up five wickets to complete a remarkable day.  With this she shatteres Belinda Clark’s 21-year-old record of 229 runs.

“I think I heard them say stuff on the speaker and everyone was clapping but I had no idea,” said Kerr, after scripting a new record, The Guardian reported.

Kerr was born three years after Clark made her world record.

“After my innings I had a little nap and then went out to field. I was a bit sore,” Kerr said. “I didn’t think I was going to bowl. I thought Suzie would let me stand at slip all day.”

This teenage prodigy batted through the innings and scored 232, surpassing the earlier record of 229 set by the former Australian captain Belinda Clark against Denmark in Mumbai in December, 1997. Clark played brilliantly in the final three deliveries as New Zealand posted 440 for three.

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The Wellington-born Kerr, who made her debut in 2016 against Pakistan, started off playing with the boys and got a dispensation from College Sport Wellington to play in Tawa's first XI. "That was the best practice for me growing up," said the sole female on the playground back then, the NZ Herald reported.

On her way to breaking the record, she hit 31 boundaries and two sixes in her 145-ball knock. Then she took 5-17 as Ireland were bowled out for 135 to give the White Ferns a 305-run win and 3-0 series victory.

Kerr has played 19 ODIs and nine T20Is before Wednesday’s match and her highest score was 81 not out -- lone fifty-plus innings. She has also taken 31 ODI wickets.

Feature Image Credit: cricbuzz.com

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