27 Mar 2012

Williamson's ton saves the Black Caps

6:37 pm on 27 March 2012

Kane Williamson's second test century has saved the New Zealand cricketers in the third and final test against South Africa in Wellington.

The rookie Black Caps batsman was dropped twice and survived a close call on review to score 102 not out and convert a desperate rearguard action into a draw at the Basin Reserve.

The Proteas declared this morning on 189 for three, leaving the Black Caps a very tough chase of 389, and the draw looked near-impossible when Morne Morkel took his fourth and fifth wickets for the day to have the hosts 83 for five.

But the 21-year-old Williamson, in just his 11th test match, put on an 80-run stand for the sixth wicket with Kruger van Wyk before the wicketkeeper became Morkel's sixth wicket, caught and bowled for 39.

Doug Bracewell provided a crucial cameo of 20 as the duo scored 37 runs to hold off the tourists, finishing with 200 for six.

Morkel ended with six for 23. The South Africans win the series one-nil.

Williamson's 102 not out was also a series high score for the hosts, and he also scored the second-highest New Zealand knock of 77 in the loss in the second test in Hamilton.