NZ v SA: Williamson becomes fastest batter to hit 32 Test hundreds, equals record for most fourth-innings centuries

New Zealand batter Kane Williamson on Friday became the quickest batter to reach 32 Test hundreds during the second Test against South Africa in Hamilton.

Walking in at three in New Zealand’s 267-run chase, Williamson anchored the chase with a measured knock, reaching his century off 203 deliveries with 11 fours and two sixes.

The world’s number one Test batter has now amassed seven hundreds in his last seven Tests. In the first Test of the series in Mount Maunganui, the 33-year-old Williamson had struck centuries in both innings (118 and 109) as the Kiwis recorded a 281-run win over an inexperienced Proteas lineup.

Kane Williamson has reached his 32nd Test Century! With 172 innings, that is the fewest innings to reach 32 test 100's in test history, beating Steve Smith. 🔥🏏@BLACKCAPS v South Africa: 2nd Test | LIVE on DUKE and TVNZ+ pic.twitter.com/pSg5VFP2nS

— TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) February 16, 2024

Williamson eclipsed Australia’s Steven Smith (174 innings) to become the quickest batter to reach 32 Test hundreds, scaling the mark in his 172nd innings. Ricky Ponting (176) and Sachin Tendulkar (179) are next on the list.

Williamson also equalled Pakistan batter Younis Khan’s tally (five) for the most hundreds in the fourth-innings of a Test match.

The innings marked Williamson’s sixth hundred against South Africa, equalling Jacques Kallis for the most tons in New Zealand-South Africa Tests.

Fastest batters to reach 32 Test hundreds (innings)
172 – Kane Williamson
174 – Steve Smith
176 – Ricky Ponting
179 – Sachin Tendulkar
193 – Younis Khan

Most fourth-innings hundreds in Test cricket
5 – Kane Williamson
5 – Younis Khan
4 – Graeme Smith, Sunil Gavaskar, Ricky Ponting, Ramnaresh Sarwan

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