Kane Williamson becomes first New Zealand batter to score 9,000 Test runs

Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson broke records after he became the first Black Caps batter to complete 9,000 runs in the longest format. Williamson achieved the feat on day 3 of the first Test of the series being played between New Zealand (NZ) and England (ENG), at the Hagley Oval, in Christchurch. 

Courtesy of touching the milestone, Williamson became the third joint-fastest batter to do so as well. Australia’s Steve Smith was the fastest batter to have achieved the landmark, followed by the legendary West Indian, Brian Lara. Furthermore, Kane Williamson became the joint third fastest alongside the former Sri Lanka skipper, Kumar Sangakkara, and Younis Khan to achieve the feat in 103 matches. It is worth noting that Smith achieved the feat in 99 Tests, whereas Lara took 101 matches to complete 9,000 runs in the Test format.

Kane Williamson showed glimpses of class right from the beginning of the Christchurch Test match. Coming out to bat in the first innings, the veteran batter scored 93 runs in 197 deliveries. He failed to reach the three-figure mark but asserted his dominance across the first innings. 

Williamson's wicket triggers another New Zealand collapse in second innings

Notably, Kane Williamson helped New Zealand post a total of 348 runs in the first innings of the game. Furthermore, after the Black Caps conceded 499 runs in the first innings against England, Kane Williamson once again came out to bat and put in an exceptional performance.

Also Read: ‘Applied ourselves well, pretty balanced day’ - Kane Williamson after 93-run knock against England in Christchurch

Coming out to bat after the fall of the first wicket, Williamson amassed 61 runs in 86 deliveries. By the time of stumps on day 3, New Zealand had posted a total of 155 runs but had lost six wickets in the process. Day 3 ended with Daryl Mitchell and Nathan Smith standing on the crease on scores of 31* and 1* runs, respectively. With just four wickets in hand and a lead of four runs, the Black Caps will hope for a big knock from Mitchell which could see them post a respectable target for England to chase down and keep themselves in the game.

Players fastest to 9000 Test runs (In terms of Matches played)