Kane Williamson falls short of Sachin Tendulkar’s record with hundred in NZ vs ENG 2024 3rd Test
New Zealand's star batter Kane Williamson put up yet another impressive display with the bat, slamming a magnificent ton in the ongoing third Test between New Zealand and England in Hamilton.
In the Kiwis' second innings, Williamson smashed 156 runs off 204 deliveries, including 20 fours and a six in his whirlwind knock, which propelled the hosts to a total of 453, setting England a massive target of 658 runs to win the game.
This is Kane Williamson's 33rd Test hundred and he also became the third fastest player to register 33 centuries in the longest format. Williamson took 186 innings to achieve the feat, going ahead of some big names like Younus Khan (194 innings), Steve Smith (199 innings), and Kumar Sangakkara (199 innings).
However, the Kiwi batter fell short of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record, who achieved the feat in 183 innings. He had the opportunity to leapfrog Tendulkar at Christchurch in his 181st innings, where he was unfortunately dismissed for 93.
Only Ricky Ponting (178 innings) and Sachin (183 innings) are ahead of Kane Williamson on this list. However, his incredible hundred made him the third fastest player to reach 33 Test hundreds.
Kane Williamson continues to dominate in Hamilton
While Williamson fell short of Sachin's record, he continued to dominate in Hamilton, one of his favorite venues. His century in the ongoing third Test could prove to be a match-winning one for the hosts, who sit in a strong position to win this game.
While he made 44 runs in the first innings and missed out on converting a start, the 34-year-old ensured that he capitalized in the second innings, scoring not just a hundred, but a big one.
His 204-ball 156 reminded everyone once again why he is considered among the best in the business, especially in Test cricket, even today.