New Zealand’s dependable batter Kane Williamson scored his 32nd Test century on February 16 in the run chase against South Africa. Williamson became the fastest to hit 32 Test centuries. He did it in 172 innings breaking Steve Smith’s record of 174 innings.
Last year, Smith broke former Australia captain Ricky Ponting's record with a 110-run knock against England at Lord's. The next two batters on the list are India's Sachin Tendulkar (179 innings) and Pakistan’s Younis Khan (183 innings).
Massive feat achieved
Williamson also equalled Younis' record for most centuries in the fourth innings of a Test. This was Williamson's fifth Test century in the fourth innings. He surpassed India's Sunil Gavaskar, Ponting, and South Africa's Graeme Smith on the list.
Williamson anchors run chase
On Day 4, New Zealand started their run chase from an overnight score of 40/1. Williamson walked out to bat with Tom Latham. The opener fell early to Dane Piedt after scoring 30 runs from 57 balls. On a pitch that assisted spinners, Rachin Ravindra struggled to score freely. Williamson hit a six before lunch to inch closer to his fifty. He was very defensive at the start of the second session. Meanwhile, Ravindra became Piedt's third victim of the innings. He scored 20 runs from 72 balls.
Williamson reached his half-century from 113 balls. He found the perfect partner in Will Young to get the run chase back on track. At tea break, he was eight runs away from his century. In the third session, he reached his century from 203 balls.
Williamson’s top form
Williamson has been in fine form in the two-Test series against a second-string South Africa side. In the first Test, he registered scores of 118 and 109.
In the first innings of the second Test, he was the top-scorer for the hosts. He scored 43 runs from 108 deliveries including seven fours before losing his wicket to Piedt. New Zealand were bowled out for 211 as they suffered a batting collapse.
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