Melie Kerr’s Personal Details
Name: Melie Charlotte Kerr
Date of Birth: October 13, 2000
Batting style: Right hand Bat
Bowling Style: Legbreak
Role: Allrounder
Only 24, Melie Kerr has already carved out her name among the legends of women’s cricket. A leg-spinning all-rounder with remarkable batting flair, Kerr’s career has been defined by her precocious rise, record-breaking feats, and consistency across formats. She is the youngest cricketer, male or female, to score a double century in ODIs, holds the record for the highest individual score in women’s ODIs, and has quickly become the backbone of New Zealand’s batting and bowling alike. At just 24, Kerr has already transformed into a global star and one of the most influential players in the women’s game.
Melie’s talent was nurtured early, she played for Tawa College Boys’ 1st XI in Wellington’s Premier Youth Grade, facing boys’ bowling while refining her leg-spin. She idolized Sophie Devine and Kane Williamson, both of whom inspired her style of play. By her mid-teens, Kerr had graduated from boys’ grade cricket to representing Wellington Blaze, where she became a mainstay alongside Devine.
Melie Kerr’s Defining Moment
In June 2018, Kerr achieved one of the most iconic moments in women’s cricket history. Opening the batting against Ireland, she scored an unbeaten 232, breaking Belinda Clark’s 21-year-old record for the highest individual score in women’s ODIs. Remarkably, Kerr didn’t stop there. With the ball, she claimed 5 wickets for 17 runs, completing one of the most extraordinary all-round performances ever seen in ODI cricket.
In the 2017 Women’s World Cup, she finished as New Zealand’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets, a breakthrough performance that marked her as a star for the future. By 2018, New Zealand Cricket recognized her impact, awarding her a central contract at just 17. Over the years, Kerr has become indispensable across formats. In 66 ODI innings, she has amassed 2167 runs, including her famous 232*, while also taking 99 wickets, with best figures of 5/17. Her dual skill set makes her one of the most complete players in the modern game.
Kerr’s talent has been in high demand globally. She has played in the Kia Super League (Southern Vipers), The Hundred (London Spirit, later Manchester Originals), and the Women’s Premier League (Mumbai Indians), where she was signed for ₹1 Crore in 2023.
Kerr reached another career high at the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where she powered New Zealand to their first-ever World Cup title. In the final against South Africa, she delivered a complete all-round performance scoring 43 off 38 balls and taking 3/24, earning both the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament awards. She became the first female cricketer to achieve that double in a World Cup final.
Whether as a batter, bowler, or leader, Kerr embodies the new era of New Zealand cricket, a generational talent carrying the White Ferns into a brighter future.
