Kane Williamson’s hundreds in 2 thrilling Test wins for New Zealand: 2 weeks, 2 last-over victories and 1 star
Kane Williamson #KaneWilliamson
KANE WILLIAMSON DOES IT AGAIN: Two Tests, two opponents, two thrilling victories for New Zealand in a fortnight, but only one hero. Williamson’s 27th Test hundred inspired New Zealand to a nail-biting win over Sri Lanka in Christchurch as the hosts pulled off another incredible victory in the final moments of a Test.
Williamson, 121*, conquered Sri Lanka on the last ball of another thrilling match at Hagley Oval a fortnight after stepping up with the bat in a one-run victory over England. 132 against England and 121* against Sri Lanka: This is the second successive Test where Williamson hit a hundred to guide New Zealand to a thrilling win. The victory, which came on the back of a one-run victory over England in Wellington, gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and ended Sri Lanka’s hopes of competing in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
121* vs SRI LANKA (2-WICKET VICTORY)
Rain appeared to have ruined the final day of the match in Christchurch by preventing play in the first two scheduled sessions. When it cleared, the umpires declared a single extended session in which New Zealand needed 257 runs to win and Sri Lanka needed nine wickets to win.
Even though the session lasted at least 52 overs and more than 3-1/2 hours, a winning result appeared improbable. Williamson scored an unbeaten 121 to lead New Zealand to victory in what became a 50-overs match, then a 20-overs match. With Williamson guiding the innings, New Zealand needed 131 runs off the final 20 overs, then 101 off the final 15 overs.
With Williamson in charge, eight runs were required in the final over. The first ball bowled by Asitha yielded one run, the second yielded one run, and Matt Henry was run out, heightening the drama. Williamson then hit a boundary, and one run was needed off two balls. Asitha’s next ball was short and passed over Williamson’s head as he stood upright, but no wide was called. That left the equation at one ball and one run.
Williamson attempted but missed another short ball and ran through as the stumps were shattered at the non-striker’s end by a Sri Lankan fielder’s throw. The video umpire made the final and most important decision. He watched the video and concluded that Williamson had reached the crease, and New Zealand had won by two wickets with no time to spare.
132 vs ENGLAND (1-RUN WIN)
Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s best batter for over a decade now, led from the front as his 26th Test century allowed New Zealand to lead England by 257 runs after following on, Williamson scored a brilliant 132 in New Zealand’s second innings as the hosts put on 483 after England captain Ben Stokes enforced the follow-on.
Williamson demonstrated why he is New Zealand’s best batsman when the chips are down, after scoring only 10 runs in his previous three innings of the series. At the start of the day, New Zealand were 202/3, still, 24 runs behind England, who had just taken the second new ball.
Williamson had batted for 7 1/2 hours when England, having exhausted all reasonable options, gave Harry Brook his first Test bowl. Brook’s bowling style is classified as right-arm medium. In reality, it could be described as dribbly medium pace. But it was Brook who ended Williamson’s innings and took his first Test wicket, giving him bragging rights for years to come.
The English team charged early with an attacking 95 from Joe Root before left-arm pacer Neil Wagner picked up three middle-order wickets to force the game to the wire on Day 5. England needed seven runs when the ninth wicket fell. The final pair of Jack Leach and James Anderson faced 15 deliveries before Wagner caught Anderson behind down the leg-side to secure a dramatic victory.
England became the only other team to have lost a Test after enforcing the follow-on as New Zealand secured a historic 1-run win to level the series. Williamson, who was named Man of the Match, was happy to help his side get over the line and script an incredibly stunning 1-run win over an England side that is playing incredible cricket at the moment.
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