Kane Williamson slams his 30th Test ton, fourth against SA
Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has brought up his 30th Test century. He breached the 100-run mark on Day 1 of the series opener against South Africa in Mount Maunganui. Williamson was watchful as the track had assistance for fast bowlers. He returned unbeaten on 112 off 259 balls at stumps on Day 1. This was his fourth Test ton against SA.
A watchful knock from Williamson
Put into bat, NZ lost opener Devon Conway (1) cheaply as Williamson arrived to bat in the second over. He and Tom Latham (20) consolidated thereafter with a 38-run stand before the latter departed. Williamson eventually found a potent partner in Rachin Ravindra, who also scored a ton (118*), as the duo recorded an unbeaten 219-run stand. NZ ended the day at 258/2.
Williamson equals these names
Williamson now owns 30 Test tons as he has equaled West Indies's Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Australia's Matthew Hayden, and England's Joe Root in terms of Test centuries. Only Steve Smith (32) owns more Test tons among active players. Meanwhile, playing his 97th Test match, Williamson has raced past 8,350 runs, averaging 54-plus. He also has 33 fifties. Notably, Williamson is NZ's highest run-getter in Tests.
Four Test tons in 2023
Williamson enjoyed a gala run in Tests last year and he seems determined to extend his streak. He smoked four tons in the longest format last year, out of which three came in consecutive innings. The tally includes a double-ton against Sri Lanka. No other batter smoked more Test tons in 2023. He finished the year with 695 runs from seven Tests at 57.91
His run against SA
Against SA, Williamson has raced past 770 Test runs with his average being over 55. The tally now includes four tons and a couple of fifties. Meanwhile, this was Williamson's 17th century in home Tests as he has raced past 4,370 runs on NZ soil at a sensational average of 68-plus. The tally also includes 18 fifties.
Third NZ pair with a double-century stand against SA
As per ESPNcricinfo, Ravindra and Williamson became only the third NZ pair to record a double-century partnership against SA in Tests (for any wicket). They have joined Stephen Fleming-James Franklin (256 in Cape Town, 2006) and Chris Cairns-Jacob Oram (225 in Auckland, 2004). Meanwhile, Williamson has now been involved in 10 double-century stands in Test cricket.
