In the recently concluded Test series between New Zealand and South Africa, former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson achieved multiple records, leading his team to a historic victory. In the second encounter between the Black Caps and South Africa in Hamilton, Williamson scripted history with his 32nd Test century, sealing New Zealand’s impressive seven-wicket win over the Proteas. This victory marked the first-ever series win for New Zealand against South Africa in the longest format, breaking a 92-year-old drought.
Williamson played a match-winning knock of 133, leading the Black Caps in their successful 267-run chase. With his unbeaten century, New Zealand completed the run-chase in 94.2 overs. The former Kiwi skipper displayed his class by smashing 12 fours and two sixes in his memorable innings.
One of the remarkable aspects of Williamson’s performance was his partnership with Will Young. The duo stitched an unbroken stand of 152 runs on Day 4 of the second Test, with Young playing a perfect second fiddle to Williamson. Young remained unbeaten on 60 off 134 balls, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s victory.
With his 32nd Test century, Williamson surpassed Australia’s Steve Smith to become the fastest batter to achieve this milestone in the longest format. He reached the feat in 172 innings, while Smith achieved it in the 174th inning. Additionally, Williamson equaled Pakistan’s Younis Khan in scoring the joint-most fourth-innings hundreds (5) in Test cricket.
Averaging 134.33, Williamson finished the Test series as the leading run-getter. He amassed a total of 403 runs in four innings for New Zealand. His contributions were pivotal in the first Test at Mount Maunganui, where he scored centuries (118 and 109) against the Proteas. Throughout the two-Test series, Williamson batted for almost 18 and a half hours, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Reflecting on the series, Williamson acknowledged South Africa’s strong performance in the initial days and credited them for outplaying New Zealand. He emphasized the importance of partnerships and the team’s ability to fight back from difficult positions, eventually changing the momentum in their favor.
Kane Williamson’s records in the Test series against South Africa will be remembered as a significant milestone in New Zealand cricket. His exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities have played a crucial role in the Black Caps’ success. With this historic victory, New Zealand has not only broken a long-standing drought but has also established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket.
