New Zealand’s star batter Kane Williamson fell just seven runs short of a well-deserved century on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The former Black Caps captain was visibly disappointed after hitting a shot straight to point.
The dismissal came in the 61st over, bowled by Gus Atkinson. The right-arm pacer offered Williamson enough width for a cut, but the extra bounce deceived the seasoned batter, leading to a miscue that was sharply caught by Zak Crawley at point.
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Atkinson claimed his second wicket after dismissing Devon Conway in just the second over, putting New Zealand on the back foot early. Meanwhile, Williamson was making his return to Test cricket after missing the series against India, where the Kiwis achieved a historic 3-0 victory. His last Test appearance was during the 0-2 series loss against Sri Lanka.
Kane Williamson’s crucial knock of 93 helped steer New Zealand towards a competitive total
The 34-year-old’s resilient 197-ball knock, featuring 10 boundaries, has brought New Zealand close to a competitive total. However, none of the top six batters, apart from Williamson, managed to reach a half-century.
Skipper Tom Latham (47) and Rachin Ravindra (34) failed to capitalize on their starts, while Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 41* could further strengthen the hosts’ position.
Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to field, citing the pitch’s green conditions and its potential to improve as the game progresses. Both teams introduced debutants, with Jacob Bethell making his Test debut for England and Nathan Smith earning his maiden cap for New Zealand.
England enters this match after a 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan, while this series holds significant importance for New Zealand’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.
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