Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper, brought up his 26th Test ton on a record-breaking day against England at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Williamson, who is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world, has been in sublime form in the ongoing Test series against England. He has scored two centuries and a fifty in the three Tests so far, and his latest ton was the most special of them all.
Williamson brought up his 26th Test ton in the first innings of the third Test, and in the process, he became the fastest New Zealander to reach the milestone. He achieved the feat in just his 77th Test, surpassing the previous record held by Stephen Fleming, who had taken 81 Tests to reach the milestone.
Williamson’s ton was also the highest individual score of the match, as he scored an unbeaten 104 off just 135 balls. His innings was laced with 14 boundaries and a six, and he was well supported by Ross Taylor, who scored a brilliant 95.
The duo put on a record-breaking partnership of 189 runs for the fourth wicket, which is the highest fourth-wicket partnership for New Zealand against England. The previous record was held by Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones, who had put on a partnership of 181 runs in the 1990 Lord’s Test.
Williamson and Taylor’s partnership was also the highest fourth-wicket partnership for New Zealand in Christchurch, surpassing the previous record of 181 runs set by John Reid and Geoff Rabone in the 1955 Test against South Africa.
Williamson’s ton was also the first century scored by a New Zealand batsman in the ongoing Test series against England. It was also the first century scored by a New Zealand batsman in Christchurch since Ross Taylor scored a hundred against Pakistan in 2016.
Williamson’s ton was the perfect way to cap off a record-breaking day for New Zealand. The hosts declared their innings at 476/7, which is the highest total ever scored by New Zealand against England in Christchurch.
Williamson’s ton was also the perfect way to cap off a record-breaking series for New Zealand. The hosts have already won the series 2-0, and with one Test still to go, they are on course to record their first-ever series whitewash against England.
Williamson’s ton was a testament to his class and quality as a batsman. He has been in sublime form in the ongoing Test series, and he has been the backbone of the New Zealand batting line-up. He has scored two centuries and a fifty in the three Tests so far, and he looks set to finish the series as the leading run-scorer.
Kane Williamson’s 26th Test ton was a special one, and it was the perfect way to cap off a record-breaking day for New Zealand. He has been in sublime form in the ongoing Test series, and he looks set to finish the series as the leading run-scorer.
