Kane Williamson breaks Steve Smith's world record with fantastic century against South Africa in 2nd Test
Kane Williamson smashed his 32nd Test century during the second innings of the second Test against South Africa which was being played at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. Williamson achieved this feat in just 172 innings becoming the quickest in terms of innings taken to reach 32 Test centuries breaking Steve Smith’s record. Kane Williamson smashed 133 off 260 deliveries to take New Zealand home in the second Test against South Africa and win the series 2-0 against the Proteas.
Kane Williamson has 32 centuries and 33 half-centuries in Test cricket and is currently the No.1 batter in Test cricket as per ICC rankings. In the first Test against South Africa, he scored a century in both of the innings to help New Zealand win the first Test by a huge margin. Williamson made his Test debut in 2010 against India and as of now, he has played 98 Test matches amassing 8666 runs in 172 innings at an average of 55.91. Kane Williamson has a sensational record in Test cricket for New Zealand.
Kane Williamson has a better home record than away but that in no way means he is not good in away conditions. He is one of the few non-Asian players with the ability to play well against spin which makes him very effective in sub-continent. Kane has smashed 15 half-centuries and 13 centuries away from home whereas he has scored 18 half-centuries and 18 centuries in home conditions. He is one of the best players that New Zealand have produced in decades and he is the leading run-getter for the Kiwis in Test cricket.
Kane Williamson led the New Zealand team to the World Test Championship title in 2021 where they defeated India in the finals. He has a great record in Test cricket for New Zealand and is considered the greatest batter to be produced on the Kiwi soil. He reached his century in the second innings after facing 203 deliveries and remained unbeaten at 133 finishing the chase with Will Young who remained unbeaten on 60.
Watch- Kane Williamson reaches another milestone as he scores his 32nd century in Test cricket
Kane Williamson has reached his 32nd Test Century! With 172 innings, that is the fewest innings to reach 32 test 100's in test history, beating Steve Smith. 🔥🏏@BLACKCAPS v South Africa: 2nd Test | LIVE on DUKE and TVNZ+ pic.twitter.com/pSg5VFP2nS
— TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) February 16, 2024
New Zealand will now host their trans-Tasmanian rivals Australia for three T20Is and two Test matches with the T20Is commencing on February 21, Wednesday at the Sky Stadium in Wellington. Kane Williamson is likely to lead the New Zealand side in the T20I series whereas Tim Southee will be the skipper in the Test series. Australia drew their series against West Indies 1-1 but they won the ODI and T20I series against them.
Kane Williamson will be hoping to be at his best in terms of both batting and fitness as his injury issues have been a big concern for New Zealand team management. He is the key player for the Blackcaps in almost every format and has served New Zealand for more than a decade going strong as always. He has the most number of Test centuries amongst Fab 4 and he has taken only 172 innings to reach 34 centuries.
