Kane Williamson makes brutal mockery of green pitch controversy
Kane Williamson has made the West Indies pay for their decision to bowl first on one of the greenest Test pitches in recent memory.
Windies captain Jason Holder would have been licking his lips on Thursday morning when he won the toss and opted to bowl on a green monster at Seddon Park.
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And while the tourists claimed the early wicket of Will Young for just five, it was all New Zealand from there.
Williamson brought up a double century just after lunch on day two, helping the hosts surpass 400 with his third double ton in Test cricket.
The West Indies took two wickets in the morning session on Friday, but lost their final two reviews as Williamson led New Zealand towards a comprehensive first innings total on his home ground in Hamilton.
The Kiwi captain overtook Ross Taylor as the most prolific batsman at the park where he has scored 1155 Test runs at a phenomenal average of 88.84.
Of his New Zealand record 22 centuries, Williamson has scored five in Hamilton including tons in each of his last three appearances, which covers Tests last year against England and Bangladesh.
His double ton on Friday came after the cricket world was left gobsmacked by the green pitch presented by groundsmen, which many thought would be a nightmare for batsmen.
Kane Williamson take a bow for me cricketer of the decade, another wonderfully crafted innings, defensive and patient when needed and aggressive and punishing when the chances came. The best test batsmen by some distance and in my opinion the first pick across all formats #NZvWI
— Dennis Baldwin (@DennyBaldwin) December 4, 2020
One of the best innings in cricket from one of the best batsmen. What a player Kane Williamson is, Pure class!
Not an easy pitch to bat on but he batted beautifully. #KaneWilliamson #NZvWI @BLACKCAPS #cricbuzzlive— the shouting man (@the_shoutingman) December 4, 2020
What a brilliant double hundred from Kane Williamson. Amazing stuff on a green pitch 👏🏻
— Bryce (@OfficialBryc3) December 4, 2020
For anyone not watching the NZ v WI test, Kane Williamson just made 200 on this pitch. My respect to a 👑 #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/cm0pXUcrTt
— Nick Yates (@nyates_music) December 4, 2020
This pitch is so hard to bat on and the West Indies strategy of “don’t get Kane Williamson out” is controversial and definitely working short term! https://t.co/iM6ol5vgEt
— Sydney Bauer (@femme_thoughts) December 4, 2020
There it is 3rd 200 in tests for Captain Kane Williamson
Green pitch - No problem
Tough conditions - NP
Pressure situation - NP
Gun bowling - NP
International 🏏 after 265 days - NP
Its better to not compare him with others cause is he is incomparable
King of Kings 👑 #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/GfaVREM0QD— Captain Kane (@SteadyTheShip) December 4, 2020
Kane Williamson cares not for your novelty pitches.
— Andrew (@andrew_54) December 4, 2020
West Indies struggle after pitch sparks frenzy
The West Indies, having toiled for little reward on day one after putting New Zealand in to bat, sensed their luck was turning when they removed Williamson’s overnight partner Taylor in the second over of the morning for 38, and Henry Nicholls soon after for seven.
Taylor feathered a full-length delivery and Shamarh Brooks, filling in behind the stumps for the injured Shane Dowrich, took a smart catch low down.
Nicholls was caught chasing a wide delivery from Kumar Roach that he nicked to second slip where Holder juggled the ball before clasping it at his second attempt.
But Williamson remained unruffled. He resumed the day on 97 and brought up his century with a classic push through point to the boundary off a short delivery from Shannon Gabriel.
With a full armoury of strokes, he took New Zealand past 300 pulling Holder to the square leg fence and reached 150 punching Roston Chase off the back foot through cover for three.
On the West Indies injury list, Darren Bravo, who was stretchered from the field late on the first day, has a slight achilles strain and wicketkeeper Dowrich has an injured hand.
Both are expected to resume playing in the Test.
with agencies
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