Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steven Smith, and Kane Williamson are often referred to as the “Fab Four” of modern cricket. However, the latter two had recently fallen behind in form. While Root and Kohli both notched centuries in the past month, Smith and Williamson were still searching for three-figure scores. Smith ended his drought yesterday against India in Brisbane, and today, Williamson followed suit.
Kane Williamson finally broke his century drought with a commanding 156 in the second innings of the third Test against England.
On the back of Williamson’s 33rd Test hundred, New Zealand piled on the runs, setting England a monumental target of 658. The Kiwis declared their second innings at 453, leaving Ben Stokes’ side under immense pressure.
Chasing the mammoth total, England’s woes deepened as they lost both openers in just six overs at the close of the third day. By stumps, England were 18 for 2, with Tim Southee removing Ben Duckett and Matt Henry sending back Zak Crawley.
Earlier in the day, a wet outfield delayed the start, wiping out the first session. Resuming on his overnight score of 50, Williamson reached his hundred in style, smashing Jacob Bethell for a six. He went on to anchor the innings, eventually falling to spinner Shoaib Bashir after scoring a splendid 156.
Contributions from Tom Blundell (44*), Daryl Mitchell (60), and Mitchell Santner (49) ensured New Zealand crossed the 450-run mark before declaring.
England now face a near-impossible task, needing 640 more runs to win with just 8 wickets in hand.
Though England have already sealed the series 2-0, they are staring at a potential heavy defeat in the final Test.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 347 & 453 in 101.4 overs
(Williamson 156, Mitchell 60, Young 60; Bethell 3/72, Stokes 2/52).
England: 143 & 18/2 in 6 overs
(Bethell 9*, Crawley 5, Duckett 4; Southee 1/4, Henry 1/14).
Day 3 stumps.
