In a historic Test match victory against South Africa at Seddon Park, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson matched the record set by former Pakistani batsman Younis Khan.
This win marked New Zealand’s first-ever triumph over South Africa in a red-ball series, ending a streak of 18 attempts.
Despite South African bowler Dane Piedt’s efforts to restrict New Zealand to 117-3, Williamson’s unbeaten knock of 113* and Will Young’s 60* ensured the Black Caps secured an impressive win.
Reflecting on the match, New Zealand skipper Tim Southee described it as a classic test match battle, praising Williamson for his outstanding performance and acknowledging Young’s valuable contribution.
With his 32nd Test century, Williamson joined Australian legends Steve Waugh and Steve Smith in the joint-11th position on the all-time list, surpassing them in terms of speed by achieving this milestone in just 172 innings.
Furthermore, Williamson’s achievement of scoring five centuries in the fourth innings equals the record set by Younis Khan. Remarkably, Williamson achieved this feat in 14 fewer innings than Khan, remaining unbeaten in all five centuries. Notably, no other player has even managed four centuries in the fourth innings, with Ricky Ponting and Graeme Smith each having three to their names.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Williamson’s remarkable form saw him amass 2,190 runs at an impressive average of 78.21, including 11 centuries in just 32 innings. Only England’s Joe Root has scored more hundreds (13) than Williamson during this period.
Acknowledging the tough challenge posed by South Africa, Williamson credited them for putting New Zealand under pressure in the initial stages of the match. He was named Player of the Series for his exceptional performance throughout the series.