Kane Williamson Becomes First Kiwi to Cross 9000 Test Runs, Shines with Double Half-Centuries
Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the first New Zealand batsman to surpass 9000 Test runs. The historic feat came during the third day of the ongoing first Test against England in Christchurch. Making a stellar comeback from a back injury that sidelined him during the Test series against India, the 34-year-old showcased his class and resilience in both innings of the match.
Joint Third Fastest to 9000 Runs
Williamson reached the milestone in just 103 Test matches, joining cricketing legends Kumar Sangakkara and Younis Khan as the joint third-fastest players to achieve the feat. Only Australia’s Steve Smith (99 Tests) and West Indies’ Brian Lara (101 Tests) have reached the landmark faster, further underscoring Williamson’s status among the game’s greats.
Remarkable Return to Form
In his comeback Test, Williamson demonstrated his brilliance with the bat, scoring crucial half-centuries in both innings. After crafting a gritty 93 in the first innings, he followed it up with a well-fought 61 in the second. His knock included vital partnerships with Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell, solidifying New Zealand’s position in the match before being dismissed by Chris Woakes.
Outpacing Virat Kohli in Fab 4 Club
Williamson’s dual half-centuries placed him ahead of Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli in a significant statistic among cricket’s “Fab 4” (Smith, Kohli, Root, and Williamson). Kane has now scored 50+ runs in both innings of a Test match 10 times, surpassing Kohli’s nine such performances. Steve Smith leads this elite group with 12 double 50+ performances, followed by Joe Root with 11.
A Special Record for Kane
With his dual half-centuries, Williamson also cemented a unique record, showcasing his consistency and adaptability across innings. His return to form is not only a personal triumph but also a boost for New Zealand as they aim to secure a win against a formidable England side.
Fab 4: 50+ Scores in Both Test Innings
- Steve Smith: 12
- Joe Root: 11
- Kane Williamson: 10*
- Virat Kohli: 9
Williamson’s remarkable achievement and brilliant performance underline his place among cricket’s finest. New Zealand will hope their star batsman continues his rich vein of form as they push for more glory in the Test arena.
