White Ferns smash highest-ever ODI total

New Zealand have posted the highest score in one-day international history after blitzing a mammoth 4-490 against Ireland in Dublin on Friday, winning by a colossal 346 runs.

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates, one of the world's leading cricketers, won the toss and promptly led from the front with an innings of 151, as well as sharing in a first-wicket stand of 172 at the YMCA club ground.

First-drop Madeline Green made a century as well, her innings of 121 helping the Kiwis break their own 21-year-old record women's ODI total of 5-455, also made in 50 overs, against Pakistan at Christchurch in 1997.

Amelia Kerr and debutant Jess Watkin also chipped in with half-centuries.

Irish teenager Cara Murray set another unwanted record by conceding 119 runs - the most by any bowler, male or female, in an ODI - during the leg-spinner's 10 overs.

The 17-year-old did, however, take two wickets - including that of Bates, whom she had stumped to end a 94-ball innings featuring 24 fours and two sixes.

Ireland, with Isobel Joyce unable to bat after suffering a head injury while fielding, managed just 9-144 in reply, with New Zealand off-spinner Leigh Kasperek taking career-best figures of 4-17.

FULL SCORECARD: Ireland v New Zealand, first ODI

"It's unbelievable," said Bates, who scored her 10th ODI century. "To set a world record for men's and women's cricket is special and it's going to take a bit to chase it down."

Bates also reached 4192 ODI runs to surpass Debbie Hockley (4064) as New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer.

"When it happened and came over the loud speaker I did actually have a bit of a moment because you think about the hard work you have done and the people who have helped you get here," said Bates. 

"Debbie was a player that the team looked up to and that 2000 World Cup team was a real inspiration to us."

In total the White Ferns smashed 64 fours and seven sixes, while Bates' strike-rate of 160.63 was the second-highest for an women's international century-maker.

The highest total in any men's one-day international is England's 3-444 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in 2016.

And the highest score in any senior limited overs or List A match remains Surrey's 4-496 against Gloucestershire at The Oval in 2007, an innings that featured Ali Brown's 176.

Ireland and New Zealand will face each other again on Sunday in the second fixture of the three-match series.

HIGHEST ODI TOTALS (WOMEN'S AND MEN'S)

New Zealand women - 4-490 v Ireland in Dublin, 2018

New Zealand women - 5-455 v Pakistan in Christchurch, 1997

England men - 3-444 v Pakistan in Nottingham, 2016

Sri Lanka men - 9-443 v the Netherlands in Amstelveen, 2006

South Africa men- 2-439 v West Indies in Johannesburg, 2015