Williamson celebrates half century as he leads Black Caps recovery
On the opening day of the first Test match between New Zealand and South Africa at Mount Maunganui today, Kane Williamson, the skipper of the latter, led his side’s comeback by mentioning his 34th Test half-century.
Tshepo Moreki, making his Test cricket debut, had taken a wicket with the first delivery when Williamson arrived at the crease with the Black Caps behind 2-1. Williamson immediately went to work, blunting the opposition’s onslaught.
With Williamson still undefeated at 52 at tea, and Rachin Ravindra at 48 not out, New Zealand moved up to 125-2 thanks to Williamson’s comeback.
The captain, who is currently the best Test batsman in the world, was cautious after playing against Moreki and missing his opening ball, but his innings was not without possibility.The captain, who is currently the best Test batsman in the world, was cautious after playing against Moreki and missing his opening ball, but his innings was not without possibility.
After winning the toss, the inexperienced South Africa team, which included six debutants, bowled and fielded with accuracy and enthusiasm, making it difficult to score runs. Williamson, in particular, displayed unexpectedly high levels of frustration at times during the 30s.
As he sprinted down the wicket and took a slog at Ruan de Swardt, extra cover fielder Edward Moore lost a challenging catch over his shoulder, possibly signaling his restlessness. He was dropped at 45.
With two runs gained from the error, Williamson reached his half century. It was a magnificent drive off Dane Paterson, the 144th ball he had faced. Four minutes shy of four hours later, he reached his milestone with his eleventh boundary of the innings.
Williamson honored the occasion with a semi-apologetic bat lift, as has become customary.On a bright and sunny day at the Bay Oval, he and Ravindra, who walked to the crease after Tom Latham was caught behind for 20, and with the Black Caps on 39-2, guided their team to a 125-2 victory.
Though Ravindra seemed in fantastic form and struck Moreki for six early in his innings, his well-timed strokes were consistently finding the field.
