New Zealand's veteran batter Kane Williamson has completed 9,000 runs in Test cricket. Williamson is the 19th batter in Test cricket history to achieve the feat but first for New Zealand. He reached the milestone in his 103rd Test.
Williamson is joint third-fastest to 9,000 runs in Tests as per matches taken. Australia's Steve Smith holds the top spot (99 Tests) followed by former West Indies captain Brian Lara (101 Tests). Williamson shares the third spot with Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Younis Khan. As per innings taken, he is the ninth-fastest to reach the milestone.
Towards the end of second session on Day 3, Williamson played a pull shot off Gus Atkinson to complete 9,000 Test runs.
Before the ongoing first Test of the series against England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Williamson needed 119 runs to breach the 9,000-run mark. In the first innings, he missed his century by seven runs. Atkinson got his wicket. His 93-run knock helped New Zealand post 348 after Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Where Williamson stands in Fab 4
Among the current Fab 4 comprising of Smith, Kohli and Joe Root, Williamson is the last to complete 9,000 runs. Root is far ahead of with 12,754 runs playing his 150th Test. He is followed by Smith who has 9,702 runs from 110 Tests followed by Kohli who has 9,145 runs from 119 Tests. Smith and Kohli will be in action next week as India and Australia lock horns in pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval starting December 6.
Williamson joins elite list of Kiwi batters
In the ongoing Test, the 34-year-old completed 1,000 runs against England in the format. He surpassed Brendon McCullum (1,041 runs) and Bert Sutcliffe (1,049 runs). John Wright (1,518 runs) is in top followed by Martin Crowe (1,421 runs), Ross Taylor (1,272 runs), Stephen Fleming (1,229 runs) and Bevan Congdon (1,229 runs).
