It would be wrong to say that Kane Williamson looked like a man making up for lost time on day one in Christchurch, finishing with 93 runs in such a composed manner. Given his famously selfless views, it would also be a stretch to claim this was driven by some inner turmoil at missing out on New Zealand’s historic win in India.
But considering he came back from a groin injury in the series opener against England and dismissed Will Young – the man of the match in a 3-0 series win – it’s still a timely win. Performance. The Kiwis are not seriously quibbling, Williamson is the national run-scoring record holder. Judging from Young’s relaxed demeanor in preparation for the game, the New Zealander’s single-mindedness is very real.
Even missing out on his 33rd Test century – caught when Gus Atkinson tried to cut to backward point on a ball that was caught and bounced – Williamson played with typical caution at the stumps reaction.
“The run is the team’s run, you know?” he said. “Whether it is [93] Or more—more is obviously the desired outcome—that’s it. On a surface like this, you also need a little luck. I played it and missed it a little bit. Such is the nature of the beast.
Regardless, Williamson played two overs at the start of the match and his 197 provided the glue for New Zealand’s first innings; half of the three 50-overs stood with Tom Latham ( Next to Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell. It was a classic performance from the 34-year-old, who suffered a broken midsection in an early fight with Brydon Carse and responded with two slick quads.
Williamson said: “He’s a great bowler, bowls the ball hard and has a really good technique to really shape the ball. English bowlers are used to the conditions back home and the skills they have. They have They all came in and played with great energy, and he certainly did that.
On Bashir, with whom he engaged in a cat-and-mouse duel with bad balls put away but also the odd play and error, Williamson added: “He’s brilliant in the wind. He does that Way to do it and pick up a few wickets [four for 69 from 20 overs] very good. Being a tall guy, he had a little bounce and took advantage of it.
As the opening exchanges unfolded, Durham’s Ollie Robinson finally set off for New Zealand after England’s call-up to the goalkeeper was officially confirmed. Robinson, 25, has averaged 42 in first-class cricket since the start of 2022 and replaced Jordan Cox after he suffered a broken thumb at Queenstown.
If all goes well, Robinson should arrive on Saturday and is expected to make his debut in the second Test in Wellington, which begins on December 6.
