Kane Williamson Breaks World Record of Steve Smith
2 min readOn Day 4 of the second Test on Friday, former captain Kane Williamson extended his incredible run of form in the home Test series against South Africa by hitting a possibly game-winning century. On a challenging field at Seddon Park in Hamilton, Williamson single-handedly led New Zealand’s chase of 267. He turned the tide in favour of the host team after the inexperienced visiting side grabbed a lead in the first innings and appeared to be securing an unlikely victory.
In the last session of Day 2 of the 2nd Test, Kane Williamson reached his century in 203 balls while seeming cool and collected. He was leading New Zealand’s chase and gradually eroding the Proteas’ aspirations. None of the other batsmen scored more than thirty runs after the former captain reached his three-figure total, and New Zealand was within striking distance of victory.
The World No. 1 Test batsman, Kane Williamson, has proved a major obstacle to South Africa’s chances in the series. This was his third hundred in the previous four innings. He became the fifth hitter from New Zealand to make two hundreds in a Test match when he opened the series with scores of 118 and 109 in the opening Test.
Before being dismissed by off-spinner Dane Piedt after hitting a resolute 43 in the first inning of Hamilton, he did not give up in the last innings. The Seddon Park crowd applauded the brave attempt with the bat and was rightfully up on their feet. Although it was difficult to get runs in Hamilton on Friday, Williamson gave South Africa a hard time with his all-out effort.
In addition, Kane Williamson tied Australian greats Steve Smith and Steve Waugh with his 32nd century in a Test match.
Kane Williamson broke Steve Smith’s record by being the fastest person to reach 32 Test hundreds.
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Will Young, who maintained one end and ensured the hosts did not collapse like they did in the first innings, provided strong assistance to Kane Williamson. But the former skipper wasn’t in the mood to reveal it.
Record Stats for Fastest Hundred in Test
- Kane Williamson – 172 innings
- Steve Smith – 174 innings
- Ricky Ponting – 176 innings
- Sachin Tendulkar – 179 innings
- Younis Khan – 183 innings