Kane Williamson gave the fans what they came for with a fighting half-century in his 100th Test on Saturday on the second day of the second Test between New Zealand and Australia.
After his first innings ended in disappointment, Williamson delivered in his second with his 34th Test half-century from 105 balls in a 105-run partnership for the second wicket with Tom Latham.
The pair steered New Zealand from 6/1 to 111/2, erasing Australia’s first-innings lead of 94, before Williamson was out for 51.
At stumps, New Zealand was 134/2 and led by 40 runs. Latham was 65 not out, his highest Test score against Australia, and Rachin Ravindra was 11.
“They are quality bowlers and obviously the pitch has offered a little bit throughout,
so it’s nice to put together a bit of partnership and hopefully we can put a few more on there and have another go,” Williamson said.
“They made it tough out there. There’s a bit in the surface, a bit of bounce. But credit to Tom Latham, he led the way and has played beautifully.”
Fans’ ‘pilgrimage’
From the start, the Test at Hagley Oval has had the sense of a pilgrimage for fans who came to pay tribute to Williamson and New Zealand captain Tim Southee in their 100th Tests.
Williamson received a standing ovation on his way to the crease in New Zealand’s first innings on the first day Friday. He made only 17 as New Zealand were bowled out for 162. Southee made 26 which was the third-highest total in the New Zealand innings.
Marnus Labuschagne returned to form Saturday with an innings of 90 in Australia’s first innings of 256 as the visitors took that 94-run first-innings lead. Matt Henry took 7/67 for the second seven-wicket bag of his career and his second five-wicket haul of the series.
New Zealand were 6/1 in their second innings when Williamson walked to the crease, again to a standing ovation.
On Saturday, Australian fans in gold and New Zealanders costumed as lifeguards or cavemen or storybook characters — it was “dress-up day” — were equal in their ovation in honour of Williamson.
