NZ vs SA: Kane Williamson breaks Steve Smith's record, becomes fastest man to hit 32 Test hundreds

NZ vs SA: Kane Williamson breaks Steve Smith’s record, becomes fastest man to hit 32 Test hundreds

Kane Williamson continued his sensational run of form in the home Test series against South Africa as the former captain hit a potentially match-winning century on Day 4 of the second Test on Friday. Williamson single-handedly led New Zealand’s chase of 267 on a tricky pitch at Seddon Park in Hamilton as he swung the momentum back in favour of the home team after the inexperienced visiting side took a first-innings lead and threatened to seal an unlikely victory.Â

Kane Williamson got to his hundred in 203 balls in the final session on Day 2 of the 2nd Test as he looked calm and composed, leading New Zealand’s chase and slowly sucking the life out of the Proteas hopes. When the former captain got to his three-figure score, none of the other batters went past the 30-run mark as New Zealand were within touching distance of a victory. | NZ vs SA, 2nd Test Day 4 Scorecard |Â

It was Kane Williamson’s 3rd hundred in the last four innings as the World No. 1 Test batter has been a big hurdle to South Africa’s hopes in the series. He began the series with 118 and 109 in the first Test, becoming only the fifth New Zealand batter to hit twin hundreds in a Test match.Â

He hit a gritty 43 in the first innings in Hamilton before getting out to off-spinner Dane Piedt, but he did not give it away in the final innings in Hamilton. Deservedly, the Seddon Park crowd was up on its feet, lauding the heroic effort with the bat. It was not easy accumulating runs in Hamilton on Friday, but Williamson was at his gritty best to hurt South Africa.

It was also Kane Williamson’s 32nd Test hundred as he went level with Australia greats Steve Waugh and Steve Smith.

Kane Williamson also became the fastest man to get to 32 Test hundreds, breaking Steve Smith’s record.Â

FASTEST TO 32 TEST HUNDREDS

1. Kane Williamson – 172 innings
2. Steve Smith – 174 innings 
3. Ricky Ponting – 176 innings
4. Sachin Tendulkar – 179 innings
5. Younis Khan – 183 innings

Kane Williamson got good support from Will Young, who held one end and made sure the hosts did not suffer a collapse like they did in the first innings. The former captain, however, was in no mood to give it away.Â

Watch Live TV in English

Watch Live TV in Hindi