Kane Williamson in action. (Courtesy: screengrab/@TVNZ)
New Zealand batter Kane Williamson on Friday set a new in Test cricket with his elegant batting display. Williamson became the quickest batter to reach 32 Test hundreds during Day 4 of the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa at the Seddon Park, Hamilton.
Williamson played a well-measured innings in New Zealand”s chase of 267 runs after he stepped into bat at No.3. The former New Zealand captain anchored the chase as he reached his century off 203 deliveries with 11 boundaries and two hits over the fence.
In the process, Williamson surpassed his Australian counterpart Steve Smith (174 innings) to become the quickest batter to reach 32 Test hundreds. He took 172 innings to set the record to his name. Batting greats Ricky Ponting (176) and Sachin Tendulkar (179) are next on the list.
The Kiwi star also equaled Pakistan batter Younis Khan”s tally (5) for most hundreds in the fourth innings of a Test match. It was Williamson”s sixth hundred against South Africa, equalling Jacques Kallis for most tons in New Zealand-South Africa Tests.
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
Williamson, the World No.1 Test batter, has now amassed seven hundreds in seven Tests. In the first Test in Mount Maunganui, the 33-year-old struck centuries in both innings (118 & 109) as the hosts recorded a handsome 281-run victory over an inexperienced Proteas line-up.
Fastest batters to reach 32 Test hundreds (innings)
172 – Kane Williamson
174 – Steve Smith
176 – Ricky Ponting
179 – Sachin Tendulkar
193 – Younis Khan
Most fourth-innings hundreds in Test cricket
5 – Kane Williamson
5 – Younis Khan
4 – Graeme Smith, Sunil Gavaskar, Ricky Ponting, Ramnaresh Sarwan
