New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson registered the first Test ton of the year, and with that, the Kiwi cricketer now has a century in his last three Tests, including a double-hundred against West Indies at Seddon Park, scored in the month of December in 2020. The 30-year-old was unbeaten on 112* off 175 deliveries by the second day’s conclusion in the final Test match of the series against Pakistan.
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Williamson was also a part of the recently announced ICC Men’s Test Team of the Decade (2011-2020). The Tauranga-born amassed 6777 runs in 80 Tests at an average of 54.21, with 23 hundreds and 31 fifties, along with 3 double-tons under his belt. Not to forget, Williamson surpassed Virat Kohli and Steve Smith in the ICC Men’s Test Rankings to be crowned as the number 1 ranked Test batsman in the world, at present.
Not at all surprised to see the consistency of Kane Williamson: VVS Laxman
Adding more to his glory as a cricketer in red-ball cricket, former India cricketer and Williamson’s mentor at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), VVS Laxman said that the Kiwi batsman’s consistency and stupendous work ethics have been the core reasons behind his success. Furthermore, the ex- Hyderabad cricketer, who is a veteran of 134 Tests and over 8700 runs, called Williamson a ‘true role-model’ for the youngsters.
“Not at all surprised to see the consistency of Kane Williamson. Unbelievable work ethics and attention to detail while preparing for any match are the reasons behind his success. A true role model for any youngster to emulate,” Laxman tweeted post-Williamson’s scintillating ton in the second Test underway at Hagley Oval.
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New Zealand steered their way to 286/3 at the end of day two and are currently trailing the tourists by 11 runs. Williamson along with Henry Nicholls (89*) rendered a dominating display over the Pakistan bowlers and so far, the duo has stitched a mammoth 215* run partnership for the fourth-wicket. Pacers Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas and Faheem Ashraf picked a wicket each in the second day’s play.
Earlier in the game, being put to bat first, Pakistan posted a score of 297/10 in the first innings, banking on the ripper exhibition from their No. 3 batter, Azhar Ali, who top-scored with 93 off 172 deliveries comprising 12 fours, followed by skipper Mohammad Rizwan (61), Faheem Ashraf (48) and Zafar Gofar (34).
Among the Kiwi bowlers, 26-year-old Kyle Jamieson scalped his second Test five-for and tore through Pakistan’s top and middle-order while Tim Southee and Trent Boult grabbed couple wickets each and Matt Henry scraped solitary dismissal.
New Zealand, who are currently the No. 1 ranked team in the ICC Test Rankings, are leading the 2-match Test series by 1-0 and will look to ensure a clean sweep in the concurrent Test, whereas Pakistan would eye to level the series.
