NEW DELHI: Kane Williamson‘s century on Friday at Seddon Park in Hamilton helped New Zealand win a Test series against South Africa for the first time. The team triumphed by seven wickets in the second Test.
In the fourth innings of a close Test in Hamilton, Williamson’s unbeaten 133 was the driving force behind their 269-3 victory, completing a 2-0 series victory against the undermanned tourists.
The Black Caps had not beaten the Proteas in 17 previous Test series dating back to 1931, having lost 13 and drawn four.
As New Zealand completed their target of 267 late on day four, Williamson, 33, was systematic during a 260-ball stay, putting on an uninterrupted stand of 152 with Will Young, who hit 60 not out.
Williamson has now scored seven centuries in seven Test matches, including two tons in the first Test victory at Mount Maunganui, which the Kiwis won by 281 runs.
His 32 centuries have come from 172 innings, making him the fastest player in Test history to reach that milestone, beating Australia’s Steve Smith (174 innings).
After New Zealand started at 40-1, Williamson batted through the day, maintaining discipline on a difficult surface but always ready to punish errant deliveries, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.
Will O’Rourke, a seamer from New Zealand, ended with nine wickets in his first Test match and was voted man-of-the-match; Williamson was chosen player of the series.
After opener Tom Latham was out for 30 in the opening session and Rachin Ravindra was out for 20 shortly after lunch, New Zealand faltered for a little while, but Young persevered to score his sixth half-century.
With the exception of Dane Piedt, who finished with 3-93 to give him eight scalps in his maiden Test in more than four years, the inexperienced Proteas found it difficult to make an impression.
Piedt, an offspinner, took out Latham at the first opportunity, with Zubayr Hamza catching the opener after he had added nine runs to his score the previous night.
After New Zealand had began the second session at 107-2, Ravindra was dismissed by an almost identical shot.
Most of South Africa’s first-choice players, who chose to compete in their lucrative domestic Twenty20 league instead of the series, were not included in the team.
(With AFP inputs)
In the fourth innings of a close Test in Hamilton, Williamson’s unbeaten 133 was the driving force behind their 269-3 victory, completing a 2-0 series victory against the undermanned tourists.
The Black Caps had not beaten the Proteas in 17 previous Test series dating back to 1931, having lost 13 and drawn four.
As New Zealand completed their target of 267 late on day four, Williamson, 33, was systematic during a 260-ball stay, putting on an uninterrupted stand of 152 with Will Young, who hit 60 not out.
Williamson has now scored seven centuries in seven Test matches, including two tons in the first Test victory at Mount Maunganui, which the Kiwis won by 281 runs.
His 32 centuries have come from 172 innings, making him the fastest player in Test history to reach that milestone, beating Australia’s Steve Smith (174 innings).
After New Zealand started at 40-1, Williamson batted through the day, maintaining discipline on a difficult surface but always ready to punish errant deliveries, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.
Will O’Rourke, a seamer from New Zealand, ended with nine wickets in his first Test match and was voted man-of-the-match; Williamson was chosen player of the series.
After opener Tom Latham was out for 30 in the opening session and Rachin Ravindra was out for 20 shortly after lunch, New Zealand faltered for a little while, but Young persevered to score his sixth half-century.
With the exception of Dane Piedt, who finished with 3-93 to give him eight scalps in his maiden Test in more than four years, the inexperienced Proteas found it difficult to make an impression.
Piedt, an offspinner, took out Latham at the first opportunity, with Zubayr Hamza catching the opener after he had added nine runs to his score the previous night.
After New Zealand had began the second session at 107-2, Ravindra was dismissed by an almost identical shot.
Most of South Africa’s first-choice players, who chose to compete in their lucrative domestic Twenty20 league instead of the series, were not included in the team.
(With AFP inputs)
