New Zealand vs South Africa, Kane Williamson century leaves behind Virat Kohli, Bradman
2024.02.04
With Rachin Ravindra scoring his first century and Kane Williamson scoring his thirty-first, New Zealand took full advantage of a bowling attack that was lacking experience from South Africa.
At the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand won the first day of the first Test match against South Africa. The world’s top-ranked Test batsman, Rohit Sharma, recorded his 30th century in the format, while Rachin Ravindra made his first. A 219-run stand between Williamson and Ravindra for the third wicket, unbroken, propelled New Zealand over an inexperienced South Africa bowling lineup to 258/2 at stumps.
When New Zealand was down to 39/2, Williamson and Ravindra joined together. After Devon Conway was removed by Tshepo Moreki on the second ball, Dane Peterson ended Tom Latham’s promising start at 20. However, that would be the second and last cause for celebration for South Africa, as Williamson and young Ravindra dispatched them on a quest for leather. Williamson’s century allowed him to surpass the record-holding pair of Virat Kohli and Don Bradman, who both had 29 hundreds.
Edward Moore dropped Williamson when he was on 45 to stop fellow rookie Ruan de Swardt, but the New Zealand skipper overcame this small setback to tie Joe Root’s century total. He made a century from 241 balls, hit 15 fours, and finished undefeated on 112 off 159 balls. After a few nervous minutes, Williamson and Ravindra settled into a rhythm and benefited from their methodical approach on a pitch that became much easier.
With just two careless strokes allowed, they played with excellent discipline. They will play again on Monday, needing only 38 more runs to become the holders of the greatest partnership for any New Zealand wicket against South Africa.
Only a week has passed since rising sensation Ravindra, who won the ICC men’s emerging cricketer of the year award for his spectacular run-scoring during the last 50-over World Cup in India, reached 118 not out off 211 balls. He was lucky when Duanne Olivier missed a difficult opportunity at deep square leg, sparing him on 80.
New Zealand 1st Innings
| BATTING | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Latham | c †Fortuin b Paterson | 20 | 48 | 79 | 4 | 0 | 41.66 |
| Devon Conway | lbw b Moreki | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Kane Williamson | not out | 112 | 259 | 386 | 15 | 0 | 43.24 |
| Rachin Ravindra | not out | 118 | 211 | 312 | 13 | 1 | 55.92 |
@charith
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