“I Just Love Batting Against Them!” – Kane Williamson’s Record-Breaking Feat Against South Africa

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson smashes his third consecutive ODI century against South Africa, crosses 19,000 international runs, and cements his place in cricketing history.

Lahore [Pakistan], March 5 – Kane Williamson put on a batting masterclass at the picturesque Gaddafi Stadium, rewriting the record books as he led New Zealand in a high-stakes Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa. With a sublime century, Williamson became New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer in the Champions Trophy and the first Kiwi to surpass 19,000 international runs.

Returning to his best after a string of quiet performances, the ‘Fab Four’ stalwart delivered under pressure, crafting a magnificent 102 off 94 balls, laced with ten boundaries and two sixes. With Rachin Ravindra anchoring the innings at the other end, Williamson capitalized on the batting-friendly conditions, displaying his trademark elegance and precision.

A Hat-Trick of Centuries Against South Africa

This knock marked Williamson’s third consecutive ODI century against South Africa—a feat no other New Zealand batter has achieved. His dominance over the Proteas dates back to the 2019 World Cup in Birmingham, where he struck an unbeaten 106. Earlier this year, he followed it up with a commanding 133* during the ODI tri-nation series in Lahore. Now, in a crunch semi-final, he has made it three in a row.

In the ongoing Champions Trophy, Williamson has amassed 189 runs at an average of 47.25, including a century and a fifty. Across his Champions Trophy career, he has now scored 534 runs in 10 matches at an impressive 59.33 average, making him the highest run-scorer for the Kiwis in the tournament’s history.

Crossing the 19,000-Run Milestone

Adding another milestone to his illustrious career, Williamson became the first New Zealand player to breach the 19,000-run mark in international cricket. In 370 matches, he has accumulated 19,075 runs at an average of 48.66, including 48 centuries and 102 fifties. His consistency across formats places him among the game’s modern greats.

Rachin Ravindra Joins the Party

While Williamson showcased his class, Rachin Ravindra matched his brilliance, scoring his second century of the tournament. The duo’s heroics echoed the legendary Indian pair of Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly in the 2002 Champions Trophy, as they became just the sixth partnership in history to register multiple centuries in the tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, Will Young and Tom Latham also achieved this rare feat for New Zealand in their opening match against Pakistan in Karachi, highlighting the depth of the Kiwi batting lineup.

With this sensational innings, Kane Williamson has once again proven why he is one of the finest batters of his generation, scripting yet another unforgettable chapter in New Zealand cricket history.

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Tags: Kane Williamson, ICC Champions Trophy, New Zealand Cricket, South Africa vs New Zealand, Kane Williamson Century, Rachin Ravindra, Cricket Records, NZ vs SA Semi Final, 19,000 Runs, Fab Four