Race to Crowe’s record heats up

It’s the most intriguing cricketing duel of the home summer, and Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor provided a tantalising entree at the Basin Reserve.

Now the race is heating up between the New Zealand batting kingpins to crack the late Martin Crowe’s test century record of 17 which has stood for over two decades.

When Williamson notched his 15th in effortless style in the sevenwicket win over Bangladesh on Monday, he moved within one of Taylor who sits one short of the benchmark set by his mentor.

With one test left against Bangladesh, starting in Christchurch on Friday, then three against South Africa in March, it’s a good bet one or both will sit atop the New Zealand test century ladder by season’s end.

Not that the Black Caps are indulging in sneaky wagers on who will get there first. ‘‘We don’t gamble,’’ coach Mike Hesson quipped.

‘‘I hope they not only go past Hogan’s [Crowe’s] record but they keep going toe for toe for a while.’’

After undergoing surgery to remove a growth on his eye, Taylor bashed 82 not out and 80 for Central Stags in domestic Twenty20, then looked back to his best when scoring 40 and 60 against Bangladesh. In his previous test he reached century No 16 with an unbeaten 102 against Pakistan in Hamilton in November.

In a treat for a sun-drenched Basin crowd of 4060 granted free entry on day five, Williamson and Taylor put on 163 for the third wicket to ensure a comfortable chase for 217. The pair scored at a rapid 6.43 runs per over during