Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson etched his name in history by becoming the first New Zealand player to surpass 9,000 Test runs. Making a remarkable comeback after months of injury, Williamson showcased his class with two consecutive half-centuries, reaffirming his status as one of cricket’s finest.
In the ongoing Test series against England at Hagley Oval, Williamson scored a brilliant 93 in the first innings, narrowly missing his 33rd century by just seven runs. He followed it up with a gritty 61 in the second innings, achieving the monumental milestone of 9,000 Test runs.
9️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Test runs for Kane Williamson – the first from New Zealand to reach the milestone!
A magnificent achievement by a modern great pic.twitter.com/pMxa9VXBfG
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 30, 2024
At 34 years old, Williamson’s tally now stands at 32 centuries and 45 fifties in Tests, a testament to his skill, consistency, and enduring hunger for red-ball cricket. His return strengthens New Zealand’s lineup and promises more milestones in the years to come.
Currently Williamson is just 3 centuries behind Joe Root who have scored 35 centuries in tests. Also, Kane Williamson has won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021 as a captain against India at Southampton.
New Zealand wobble after Harry Brook stars with a hundred:
England, batting first, posted a commanding 499 runs, led by a century from rising star Harry Brook and a captain’s knock of 80 by Ben Stokes. Gus Atkinson added crucial runs down the order. However it was a shock that star batter Joe Root dismissed on 0 while playing his 150th test. For New Zealand, debutant Nathan Smith and Matt Henry shone with the ball, sharing seven wickets between them, while Tim Southee chipped in with two dismissals.
Despite Williamson’s heroics, New Zealand is in a precarious position, having lost six wickets with a slender lead of just four runs. The hosts face a daunting task ahead to avoid defeat. However, Williamson’s roaring comeback has sparked optimism and will undoubtedly be a significant talking point in the upcoming matches.
