MOUNT MAUNGANUI: Kane Williamson notched his second century of the match on Tuesday, steering New Zealand to a commanding position on day three of the first Test against a weakened South Africa side. Williamson, known for his prolific scoring, amassed a brisk 109 before being dismissed, propelling the hosts to 179-4 in their second innings at Mount Maunganui. With Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell holding the fort at the crease, the Black Caps aimed to declare early on Wednesday, setting South Africa a daunting target on a deteriorating Bay Oval pitch.
Despite South Africa’s depleted lineup, they were bowled out for 162 before tea, failing to match New Zealand’s imposing first innings total of 511. Opting not to enforce the follow-on, New Zealand allowed Williamson, the world’s top-ranked batsman, to shine once again, securing his 31st Test century, a feat achieved for the first time in the same match. Williamson’s aggressive innings, comprising 12 boundaries and a six, set the tone for New Zealand’s dominance before he fell victim to the bowling of Proteas captain Neil Brand.
Throughout his innings, Williamson had a stroke of luck surviving a dropped catch, showcasing his resilience and determination.
Meanwhile, South Africa struggled to cope with the challenge, losing wickets at regular intervals, with Brand claiming six scalps in the first innings. The Proteas’ batting woes were evident as they lost their last six wickets for just 82 runs on Tuesday.
Among South Africa’s batsmen, Keegan Petersen displayed some resistance with a top score of 45, but he lacked support from his teammates. The Proteas’ inexperienced lineup, comprising six debutants, succumbed to New Zealand’s bowling attack, with Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner leading the charge with three wickets each. Despite facing an uphill battle, South Africa remained determined to salvage some pride in the remainder of the Test match.
