New Zealand’s star batting specialist Kane Williamson helped his team get off to a solid start in the World Test Championship: Kane Williamson marked his return to international cricket with a commanding performance, anchoring New Zealand’s promising start in their pursuit of a spot in the World Test Championship Final.
The Black Caps kicked off the first Test against England in Christchurch on solid footing, with Williamson crafting an elegant 93 at Hagley Oval.
Table of Contents
After being sent in to bat by England’s captain Ben Stokes, New Zealand reached 319/8 at the close of play. Williamson, showcasing his signature poise and precision, barely put a foot wrong during his innings.
His effort included crucial 50-run stands with captain Tom Latham (47), Rachin Ravindra (34), and Daryl Mitchell (19), guiding the hosts to a commanding 193/3 at tea.
However, the veteran batter fell agonizingly short of his 33rd Test century. An unexpected extra bounce from England pacer Gus Atkinson (2/61) saw Williamson dismissed in the 90s for the first time in over six years, till the momentum towards England.
The visitors capitalized further with a stellar spin display from Shoaib Bashir, who claimed 4/69, including three late wickets to pull the game back in England’s favor.
Glenn Phillips and Tim Southee (10*) kept patience in the final overs against the second new ball and ensured there was no further loss before stumps.
New Zealand’s ambitions of making next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final remain alive, but they face a tall order. A 3-0 sweep against England at home is likely required to secure a spot in the one-off Test at Lord’s in June 2025.
England, already out of contention for the final, made an early impact in the match when Atkinson removed Devon Conway (2) in just the second over, leaving Williamson to stabilize the innings as he has so often done in his illustrious career.
Williamson’s return was a masterclass in temperament and skill, with New Zealand in control for much of the day until England’s late resurgence. The opening day’s drama sets the stage for an enthralling contest as both teams continue to battle for their respective goals in this Test series.
World Test Championship Standings:
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Ded | Points | Pct |
| 1 | IND (India) | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 110 | 61.11% |
| 2 | AUS (Australia) | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 90 | 57.69% |
| 3 | SL (Sri Lanka) | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 55.56% |
| 4 | NZ (New Zealand) | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 72 | 54.55% |
| 5 | SA (South Africa) | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 54.17% |
| 6 | ENG (England) | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 19 | 93 | 40.79% |
| 7 | PAK (Pakistan) | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 40 | 33.33% |
| 8 | WI (West Indies) | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 26.67% |
| 9 | BAN (Bangladesh) | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 25.00% |
Also Read: ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 Standings
Source: ICC
