Halliday maiden ODI ton leads NZ's commanding win over Zimbabwe

New Zealand began their ODI series against Zimbabwe in Dunedin with a commanding 180-run victory thanks to Brooke Halliday's career-best 157 not out off 118 balls and a ruthless bowling performance. New Zealand's seventh ODI score of 350 or more was 354 for 3, matching England's record for most such scores. Zimbabwe responded by being bowled out for 174 in 47.3 overs. Amelia Kerr (4-35) and Jess Kerr (3-28) did most of the damage with the ball, while Kelis Ndhlovu was the only half-centurion for the visitors. When asked to bat, openers Emma McLeod and Amelia Kerr gave New Zealand a steady start. Together, they added 48 runs for the first wicket. After Zimbabwe eliminated both openers with two strikes, Halliday took over and sent the bowlers on a leather hunt. She shared a century with Maddy Green (67 off 80) and Isabella Gaze (59 not out off 42) in her innings, hitting 24 fours and one six. New Zealand were 237 for 3 at the end of the 40th over, with Halliday scoring 92 off 83. She and Gaze then added 117 runs with an attacking surge in the final ten overs. New Zealand scored 47 boundaries in Gaze's innings, which included 10 fours. Modester Mupachikwa was bowled out by Jess Kerr early in the chase, and Ndhlovu and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano added 93 for the second wicket. However, the partnership resulted in 150 deliveries, leaving Zimbabwe with too much work to do. In the 29th over, Molly Penfold dismissed Mugeri-Tiripano, and Ndhlovu was bowled by Nensi Patel, putting Zimbabwe at 142 for 3 in the 36th over. As Amelia Kerr and Jess Kerr progressed through the lower order, wickets began to fall frequently thereafter.