No problem.
A world record chase.
No worries.
Who?
Melie Kerr, of course.
New Zealand’s champion all-rounder blasted 179 to guide her side to an unlikely two-wicket win against South Africa at the Basin Reserve yesterday.
Actually, it was more than unlikely.
It was the highest successful run chase in the history of women’s ODIs — eclipsing the 341 for five India made to beat Australia in India last year.
South Africa had posted a formidable 346 for six.
They were aided by some utterly abysmal fielding.
The home side dropped seven catches and most of those fell out of the clear blue sky and into the category of very regulation.
The fielding was in stark contrast with the sublime skill Kerr displayed during her extraordinary innings.
Perhaps her best shot came when she lofted a delivery to the extra cover boundary while on one knee.
Not many players in the world can pull that off.
The series is now tied 1-1. The decider is at the Basin Reserve on Saturday at Kerr’s house.
The 25-year-old Wellingtonian knows every corner of the venue and found a way to get the ball to every corner of it as well.
She had to shake off cramp to get it done.
But early on the game was not going well for New Zealand.
Seasoned South African opener Laura Wolvaardt cashed in on an early reprieve. She whacked 69 from 74.
Anneke Bosch swept her way to a career-high 91 from 90. The right-hander was another beneficiary of the White Ferns’ case of butter fingers.
Sune Luus, who brought up her 150th game, added 40 from 43 and keeper Sinalo Jafta swatted 37 from 29.
South Africa kept accelerating throughout the innings. Hard-hitting all-rounder Chloe Tyron clubbed an undefeated 52 from 25 balls to put the game out of reach.
South Africa smashed 94 runs off the last eight overs.
Bree Illing struggled with her line, conceding seven wides. But she was the pick of the White Ferns bowlers. She grabbed three for 60.
The White Ferns lost veteran opener Suzie Bates cheaply.
The right-hander dragged a ball on for eight. The delivery was there to punch through the offside, but she tried to heave it into the leg side instead.
It was the shot of a player who is searching for form.
Fellow opener Georgia Plimmer got a start again. She made her way through to 23 before slicing a catch to Karabo Meso.
Maddy Green (13) and Brooke Halliday (14) could not get going, but Kerr combined with Izzy Gaze in a devastating partnership.
The pair put on 120 from 82 balls.
Gaze eventually holed out down the ground for 68, but Kerr pushed on to win the match for the White Ferns.
She took control during the final overs, manipulating the field to find the gaps in a masterful performance of the very highest quality.
Her sister Jess Kerr chipped in with a brief cameo of 14 from seven balls.
