Kane Williamson enters record books during 3rd Test between New Zealand vs South Africa

Kane Williamson not only got to 26th Test fifty but also became the sixth New Zealand batsman and third youngest ever to bring up 5,000 Test runs.

Kane Williamson brought up his 17th Test century, thereby equalling Crowe’s record of most centuries by a New Zealand cricketer © Getty Images

New Zealand were in complete command of Day Three in the third and final Test in Hamilton, with Kane Williamson breaking several records. After Tom Latham became Morne Morkel’s 250th Test victim after his 13th Test century, Williamson and Raval were in sync as they took New Zealand ahead. Williamson not only got to 26th Test fifty but also became the sixth New Zealand batsman and third youngest ever to bring up 5,000 Test runs. Williamson became the quickest from New Zealand to get to this feat, for which he took only 110 innings. The record was previously held by Martin Crowe(117 innings) while Ross Taylor had taken 120 innings to get there. On Monday, the brisk rate at which Williamson scored, also helped him to bring up his 17th Test century, thereby equalling Crowe’s record of most centuries by a New Zealand cricketer. Full Cricket Scorecard: New Zealand vs South Africa, 3rd Test at Hamilton

Williamson will, however, continue to face challenge from Taylor in terms of hitting most centuries. Taylor, who has missed the final Test due to a hamstring injury, has 16 Test centuries. On Monday, Williamson reached the milestone with two consecutive boundaries off Dean Elgar. He achieved the feat in 61 Tests to, remarkably 16 less than Crowe. Meanwhile, Raval and Williamson added 190 runs for the second wicket, which is not the best second-wicket stand for New Zealand against South Africa. Interestingly, Raval and Williamson held the same record which was set not long ago. At Dunedin, Raval and Williamson added 102 runs.

Their stubborn stand was broken when Morkel struck again, preventing Raval a deserving century with Quinton de Kock doing his task behind the stumps.

New Zealand headed to tea at 209 for 1 trailing by 105. New Zealand began their response to South Africa’s 314 on a positive note with Latham and Raval bringing up the highest stand of 83 runs for the first wicket.

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After rain delayed the start of play, New Zealand added 65 in 22 overs before lunch and another 77 in by tea as further forecast of bad weather persisted and the pitch flattened out.