Williamson century sets up intriguing final day

It was a topsy-turvy day four of the second Test between New Zealand and England at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Kane Williamson led the Blackcaps’ charge with his 26th Test match ton before Harry Brook dismissed the centurion to trigger a New Zealand collapse and set England a fourth innings target of 265. Ben Duckett and Zack Crawley made confident starts, but Tim Southee removed the right-hander on the eve of stumps to set up a riveting final day of the series, with England requiring 210 runs to win.

Resuming the day on 201 for three in the follow-on, New Zealand suffered an early setback as Henry Nicholls fell to the second new ball, the left-hander edging behind to Ben Foakes off Ollie Robinson for 29. Daryl Mitchell launched an immediate counter-attack coming in at number six to take New Zealand into the lead.

Mitchell ran the singles proactively and pummelled James Anderson for a couple of boundaries to spur the Kiwi innings forward. He even brought up his half-century with a six off Jack Leach, but couldn’t convert his start into a big score, skying a pull against Stuart Broad to depart for a run-a-ball 54.

Kane Williamson, meanwhile, began the day by passing Ross Taylor to become New Zealand’s highest run-getter in Test cricket, and the 32-year-old crowned this special feat by bringing up his 26th Test ton on day four. The former skipper added 158 runs for the sixth wicket alongside Tom Blundell to ensure that England went wicketless through the afternoon session and grow New Zealand’s lead.

The pair capitalised on a flat pitch and a tiring English attack lacking the threat of a genuine pacer. Williamson brought up his with a cut to the boundary off Stuart Broad before Tea, but his innings came to an untimely end on 132 when he was strangled down the leg side against part-timer Harry Brook.

Williamson’s dismissal was the catalyst for a Kiwi collapse as the hosts lost their final five wickets for just 28 runs. Ben Foakes showed tremendous awareness to run out Michael Bracewell before Jack Leach picked up the final three New Zealand wickets to bowl out the Blackcaps for 483 in their second innings.

Chasing 265 in the fourth, the England openers added 39 runs in the first eight overs with their typical aggressive approach before Tim Southee cut through the defences of Zak Crawley with an inswinger. The tourists ended the day at 48 for one with Ben Duckett and night-watchman Ollie Robinson at the crease, needing 210 runs to seal a 2-0 series victory on day five.