Kane Williamson, the former captain of New Zealand, has made a highly anticipated return to Test cricket after nearly a year-long hiatus, while playing in the first Test against West Indies at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Williamson's comeback has already been marked by a significant personal achievement, overshadowing an early setback for his team. This three-match Test series on New Zealand soil began with West Indies winning the toss and opting to bowl first, setting the stage for an intriguing contest.
Williamson's last Test appearance was between December 14 and 17 of the previous year, against England in Hamilton.
The start of New Zealand's innings against West Indies was far from ideal. Opening batsman Devon Conway was dismissed for a duck, failing to open his account. Conway faced just two deliveries before falling victim to West Indies' fast bowler Kemar Roach in the very first over of the match. This early wicket brought Kane Williamson to the crease sooner than expected, placing immediate pressure on the returning star to stabilize the innings.
Williamson's Historic Milestone
Upon entering the field, Kane Williamson quickly made his mark. By scoring just 7 runs, he achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing the legendary South African cricketer Hashim Amla in the list of all-time highest run-scorers in Test cricket, while before this match, Williamson had accumulated 9276 runs from 105 Tests and 176 innings. With his initial 7 runs, his tally moved past Amla's career total of 9282 runs, which Amla achieved in 124 Test matches and 215 innings at an average of 46. 64, while williamson now stands at 9305 runs, positioning him at the 16th spot globally in Test cricket's leading run-scorers.
Chasing the 10,000-Run Mark
With this new achievement under his belt, Kane Williamson's next major target is the coveted 10,000-run mark in Test cricket. He isn't far from this significant milestone, and if he succeeds, he will become the first New Zealand batsman in history to reach this elite club. This achievement would further solidify his status as one of the greatest cricketers produced by New Zealand.
Elite Company of Active Test Batsmen
Kane Williamson is currently one of only three active batsmen in Test cricket who have scored over 9000 runs, while the other two stalwarts are England's Joe Root, who leads with 13551 runs, and Australia's Steve Smith, who has accumulated 10496 runs. Williamson's presence in this exclusive group highlights his consistent performance and longevity at the highest level of the game.
New Zealand's Top Test Run-Scorers
Williamson's current tally places him firmly at the top of New Zealand's all-time Test run-scorers list. The list of top New Zealand batsmen by Test runs is as follows: Kane Williamson (9305 runs), Ross Taylor (7683 runs), Stephen Fleming (7172 runs), Brendon McCullum (6453 runs), and Tom Latham (5841 runs), while his continued performance is expected to extend his lead at the top.
Playing XIs for the First Test
The teams for the first Test match feature a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. New Zealand's Playing XI includes Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, and Jacob Duffy. West Indies' Playing XI comprises Tagenarine Chanderpaul, John Campbell, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Roston Chase. (captain), Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wicketkeeper), Kemar Roach, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales, and Ojay Shields. The match promises to be a compelling battle between these two sides.
