Amelia Kerr struck a superb century to set up the New Zealand Women’s 92-run win over the Proteas Women in the fifth T20I in Christchurch.
Kerr smashed a career-best 105 off 55 balls to power the White Ferns to 194-6, before Lea Tahuhu (3-15) led the bowling effort to restrict South Africa to 102-9.
The Proteas Women won the toss and chose to bowl. The hosts lost an early wicket when Izzy Gaze (one) was trapped lbw by Ayabonga Khaka (3-32), before Georgia Plimmer (27) and Kerr added 45 for the second wicket.
Tumi Sekhukhune (3-32) then struck with her first two deliveries, dismissing Plimmer and Sophie Devine (nought) to leave New Zealand 54-3 in the ninth over.
Kerr continued to dominate, sharing a crucial 73-run stand with Brooke Halliday (26) to put the hosts in control. Halliday was eventually dismissed by Khaka, but Kerr pressed on, bringing up her second T20I century as New Zealand closed in on 200.
Sekhukhune and Khaka picked up late wickets, with Khaka removing Kerr, as the hosts finished on 194-6 in their 20 overs.
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In reply, South Africa made a poor start, losing four wickets in the powerplay to slump to 41-4. Tahuhu claimed two wickets, while Nensi Patel (1-18) and Devine (2-8) also struck.
Suné Luus (13), Chloé Tryon (one), Anneke Bosch (nine) and Laura Wolvaardt (nine) were all dismissed early as the Proteas Women struggled to build momentum.
Annerie Dercksen (23) and Nadine de Klerk (six) briefly steadied the innings, but Kerr (2-6) removed De Klerk to spark another collapse.
Kerr and Devine then dismissed Dercksen and Karabo Meso (nought) to leave South Africa reeling at 71-7.
Flora Devonshire (1-19) and Tahuhu picked up the remaining wickets as the Proteas Women were restricted to 102-9, handing New Zealand a 4-1 series win.
Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
