Rain fails to hamper NZ skipper

CAPTAIN Kane Williamson scored a New Zealand-record 18th Test century as the Kiwis tightened their grip on the first cricket Test against England yesterday.

Williamson previously shared with Martin Crowe and his current Test teammate Ross Taylor the New Zealand record of 17 Test centuries.

In between heavy showers, Williamson added nine runs to his overnight score of 91, reaching his century in 297 minutes, from 196 balls with 11 fours and a six.

He was finally out for 102, trapped lbw by James Anderson in the fourth over of the second new ball, but his 83-run partnership with Henry Nicholls had placed New Zealand in control of its first-ever daynight Test at home.

New Zealand have built a lead of 171 runs and look to take charge of a match in which further rain interruptions are likely.

England were embarrassed on day one, torn to shreds by Kiwi paceman Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who took all 10 wickets. They were skittled for 58 in less than 21 overs.

“Personally, I’ve never focused too much on stats – it’s always been about trying to do my best for the team and that’s why today was frustrating,” Williamson said.

“It was a fairly good delivery and you walk off and that’s part and parcel of the game, but you want to keep going and contribute more and more.

“It would’ve been nice to still be out there, to be honest.”