The White Ferns set a number of records as they beat South Africa by 66 runs in the opening match of the T20 Tri-Series in Taunton.
Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Captain Suzie Bates scored the first T20 International century by a New Zealand woman, hitting an unbeaten 124 off 66 balls.
Fellow opener Sophie Devine hit 73 as the pair put on 182 for the opening stand, the highest partnership for any wicket in women's T20 internationals.
New Zealand finished on 216 for one, which was a record score until England played South Africa later in the day in the second game of the double-header.
The bowlers then restricted South Africa to 150-6 to secure a 66-run victory.
Hayley Jensen took three wickets for 28 runs from her four overs.
Bates said she couldn't have asked for much more.
"A little bit probably lost for words, it was just one of those days where everything went our way and that partnership with Sophie [Devine] just made batting seem quite easy, but it's not like that every day so just really pleased the way we went out with the ball as well and executed our plans on a really good wicket."
Coach Haidee Tiffin described the innings as the best she had ever seen Bates bat.
Bates also reated her performance. "It's probably the cleanest I've hit the ball for a while - and just being able to access 360 [all parts of the ground], which I've been working on in the nets but haven't been quite able to pull it off in a game, and so yeah, it'll be up there with the cleanest I've hit the ball."
New Zealand's next game is against England on Sunday.
In the second game of the double header England beat South Africa by 121 runs after scoring a world record 250 for 3.
