New Zealand batter Kane Williamson stole the show on day three of the first cricket test match against South Africa at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Williamson clubbed his second century of the match in the Kiwis’ second innings, giving the Black Caps a lead of 528 runs after finishing the day on 179 for the loss of four wickets.
Earlier, South Africa had been bowled out for 162 runs in their first innings.
On day three of the first test, the Proteas resumed their first innings on 80 for 4 in the 28th over, trailing by a massive 431 runs. David Bedingham and Ruan de Swardt fell in the 34th over to the bowling of Matt Henry—Henry finished with 3 for 31.
Keegan Petersen tried to make a fist of it, but he was undone by Rachin Ravindra, with Kane Williamson taking the catch, out for 45 off 132 balls, and with it went any scant hopes the Proteas may have harbored at the Bay Oval.
South Africa were all out for 162 in the 73rd over, with a deficit of 349 runs. Incredibly, the Kiwis did not enforce the follow-on.
Rather, where Kane Williamson had taken a supporting role in New Zealand’s first innings (which still netted him a test ton), in the second innings, Williamson took center stage.
Williamson scored his 31st test century in his 97th match, with 109 runs off 132 balls. It’s the first time he has scored centuries in both innings of a test, and the fifth time it has happened for New Zealand.
Williamson was eventually stumped by Clyde Fortuin off the bowling of Neil Brand, but his knock would contribute to New Zealand finishing day three on 179 for four, with a seemingly insurmountable lead of 528 runs.
DAY 3 | STUMPS
Umpires call it a day in Tauranga as New Zealand extend their lead to 528 runs courtesy of Kane Williamson’s century. Neil Brand leads the bowling for the Proteas with figures of 2/52☝
🇦🇺 NZ 511& 179/4
🇿🇦 Proteas 162 #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/N7vOafKiOt— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 6, 2024
Day 3 comes to a close with a lead of 528 runs. Kane Williamson (109) following his 30th Test century in the 1st innings with his 31st in the team’s second innings. Catch up on all scores | https://t.co/bum67WNaOD 📲#NZvSA #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/rzhPOiFK1r
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 6, 2024
