Kane Williamson: NZ’s ton of talent

On, off, on, off.

Auckland’s changeable weather meant a busy second day for the ground staff at Eden Park, while the Black Caps made steady progress, when conditions allowed.

An early dinner break was called on Friday, with them 229-4, a lead of 171, and the chances of a resumption very slim.

With more rain forecast in the coming days, they may have to be proactive with a declaration if they are to ensure the first day’s demolition of England leads to a rare win – it would be only their fourth over the visitors this century.

Resuming at 175-3, and ahead by 117, having bowled the tourists out for 58 in the first session on day one, there was just enough play in the first period of action for the Black Caps to tick off an important milestone.

Kane Williamson brought up his 18th test century in the eighth over of the day, dabbing James Anderson into the gully region for a single to take himself past Martin Crowe and Ross Taylor, who both have 17. He now owns the New Zealand record on his own, having equalled Crowe last March. An over later, the players were off. Rain had been intermittent around the city in the morning, and was always going to play a part in proceedings during this historic day-night fixture.

With the stoppage approaching an hour in length, an early tea break was called, and then the sun came out, allowing a restart at 3.50pm. England received the new ball an over after the resumption, and Anderson and Stuart Broad began to look as dangerous as they had all innings.

Anderson got Williamson, lbw for 102, with a ball that swung in quite considerably, and though the Black Caps captain called for a review, it was clearly hitting and he was on his way.

BJ Watling joined Henry Nicholls at the crease, and they went about their work largely untroubled for the better part of an hour, taking their side through to 229. Moeen Ali was able to bowl one ball in the 93rd over of the innings before the heaviest rain of the day arrived, driving the players from the field with the Black Caps 171 in front.

Nicholls was on 49, having worked hard to get to the verge of a sixth half-century, while Watling was on 17.

With rain forecast to continue into the night, and more bad weather expected on Saturday, it might be a while before the game gets to progress any further.

Thanks to their efforts on day one, the Black Caps are well in front, but they might be forced to make a declaration and get England’s batsmen back out in the middle sooner rather than later.

His 18th century came in his 114th test innings. As a comparison, Taylor took 149 innings to make 17 centuries, and Crowe took 120 to reach the same mark.