Williamson guides NZ to 319 against England

Kane Williamson of New Zealand plays a shot    

New Zealand batter Kane Williamson narrowly missed his 33rd Test century as the Black Caps made a decent start to the first Test against England in Christchurch yesterday.

Williamson looked his usual self in his first match back from injury as he stroked a stylish 93 at the Hagley Oval, with the Kiwis reaching 319 for eight at stumps after being sent into bat by England Skipper Ben Stokes.

Williamson barely took a risk during his time at the crease, combining for 50-run partnerships with Skipper Tom Latham (47), Rachin Ravindra (34) and then Daryl Mitchell (19) as the hosts raced to the tea break at 193 for three and in control.

But the former Kiwi skipper was undone by some extra bounce from Gus Atkinson (2/61) shortly after tea as he fell in the 90s for the first time in more than six years as England fought back late in the day courtesy of some excellent spin bowling from Shoaib Bashir (4/69).

Bashir collected the final three wickets of the day to provide England with some hope, with Glenn Phillips and Tim Southee (10 n.o) safely negotiating the last few overs against the second new ball

New Zealand are still in contention of reaching next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final, but will likely need to sweep England 3-0 at home to sneak into the one-off Test that is scheduled for Lord’s in June 2025.

England cannot reach the World Test Championship Final this cycle but made a strong start to the Test when Atkinson had Devon Conway (2) caught and bowled in the second over with Williamson arriving at the crease with his team once again in trouble and requiring him to perform.

And Williamson delivered - like he has so many times for his country previously - as New Zealand controlled proceedings right up until England’s late fightback on an intriguing opening day.

Chief scores: 

New Zealand: 319/8 (Kane Williamson 93, Tom Latham 47, Glenn Phillips 41 n.o, Shoaib Bashir 4/69) vs England. (Agencies)