The second Test century that former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson scored in the Black Caps’ match against South Africa on Friday in Hamilton wrote history. Williamson completed New Zealand’s thrilling victory against South Africa by seven wickets, giving the hosts their first-ever series victory over the Proteas in the longest format. The Kiwis defeated South Africa in a Test series after 92 years and 18 attempts.
Williamson scored a match-winning knock of 133 to ensure the Black Caps sealed a 2-0 series victory over the Proteas, leading the team in their successful 267-run chase. The run chase was accomplished in 94.2 overs by New Zealand, with a ton-up Williamson still undefeated. With 12 fours and two sixes in his historic Black Caps knock, the former Kiwi captain made history.
Williamson brings an end to New Zealand’s 92-year drought
On Day 4 of the Second Test against South Africa, the seasoned batter and Will Young pieced together an unbroken stand of 152. Young of New Zealand was a great second fiddle to Williamson, scoring 60 from 134 balls without conceding a wicket. To speak more about Williamson, the veteran hitter from New Zealand, his 32nd Test century broke many records.
Sets two records with the masterclass in Hamilton.
In the longest format, Williamson became the fastest batsman to smack 32 hundreds, surpassing Australia’s Steve Smith. Smith scored his 32nd home run in the 174th inning, while Williamson accomplished the mark in 172 innings. Williamson also managed to reconcile with Younis Khan of Pakistan. Together, Williamson and the former Pakistani batsman have amassed the most fourth-inning hundreds (5) in Test history.
A memorable run of shows for Williamson
Williamson was the highest run scorer at the end of the Test series with an average of 134.33. For New Zealand, he scored 403 runs in 4 innings. Against the Proteas at Mount Maunganui in the first Test, Williamson scored two hundreds (118 and 109). In the two-Test series between the two teams, the 32-year-old batted for nearly eighteen and a half hours.
‘South Africa outplayed us’
“Coming into today on a wearing surface we knew we were going to have to string partnerships together. Credit to South Africa. Certainly for the first couple of days they outplayed us I thought. We had to fight hard to get out of that position and change momentum and with the partnerships and seeing off the new ball were able to give ourselves the chance,” Williamson said.