New Zealand batter Kane Williamson crafted his second century of the match in the ongoing first Test against South Africa in Mount Maunganui, putting the hosts in control of the proceedings. The former New Zealand captain hit a quickfire 109 as the hosts reached 179-4 at stumps in their second innings at the Bay Oval on Day 3. This is the first time that Williamson has scored centuries in both the innings of a Test, taking his tally to 31 tons in the longest format of the game.

After scoring his 30th and 31st centureis, Williamson achieved multiple milestones in the first Test against a depleted Proteas.

Williamson scored his 18th Test hundred in New Zealand, putting himself joint-sixth in the list of most tons at home. Australia great Don Bradman and former England skipper Joe Root also have 18 Test centuries at home.

KANE WILLIAMSON HAS 6 HUNDREDS IN THE LAST 6 TESTS. pic.twitter.com/1u7rPjvpm8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 6, 2024

The overall list is jointly held by Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene, South Africa’s Jacques Kallis and Australia’s Ricky Ponting, having scored 23 centuries each on home soil.

The 33-year-old is the joint second-fastest, along with Australia’s Steve Smith, to score 31 Test hundreds. Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar tops the chart, having achieved the feat in his 165th innings.

Williamson is only the fifth New Zealand batter to register centuries in both the innings of a Test. Glenn Turner, Geoff Howarth, Andrew Jones and Peter Fulton are the others to do so. Overall, Williamson’s outing in the first Test marked the 92nd occasion when a player has scored a century in both innings of a Test game.

A second century for Kane Williamson! He becomes the fifth New Zealand player to record two hundreds in the same Test. @BLACKCAPS v South Africa: 1st Test | LIVE on DUKE and TVNZ+ pic.twitter.com/dOHYOBkMpQ

— TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) February 6, 2024

He is now the player with the most centuries at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui (3).

Last but not the least, Williamson has converted 10 out of his last 11 fifty plus scores in Tests.

Most Hundreds in International cricket among active players:

1) Virat Kohli – 80

2) David Warner – 49

3) Joe Root – 46

4) Rohit Sharma – 46

5) Steve Smith – 44

6) Kane Williamson – 44* pic.twitter.com/PtnzDBujx4

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 6, 2024

He is also New Zealand’s all-time top run-getter with 8,490 runs in 97 Tests. 

New Zealand in control vs South Africa

New Zealand coach Stead said Williamson’s prolific form was “fantastic” for his team-mates, noting the role he played as a support act when Rachin Ravindra posted a maiden double century in the first innings.

“Kane’s been an incredible player for us and he keeps churning out the runs,” Stead said.

“He’s a tired lad in their now, he’ll be getting a bit of treatment tonight I’d imagine, but he’s just fantastic for the team.”

Stead wouldn’t say if New Zealand will declare overnight, preferring to “keep them guessing”.

He explained the decision not enforce the follow-on, deeming the fitness of his bowling attack a priority ahead of next week’s second Test, followed by two Tests against Australia.

“We just felt this is the first of four Tests in a pretty quick period of time for us and we wanted to make sure our bowlers had an element of freshness to them.”

(With AFP Inputs)