New Zealand's Kane Williamson celebrates reaching his 36th half-century during the first day of the opening Test match against England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on November 28, 2024. Williamson's composed innings guided New Zealand to 193 for three by tea on Thursday.
Kane Williamson, recalled to the side after a groin strain sidelined him during New Zealand's recent series win in India, will resume his innings on 77 not out for the final session of the first Test against England. He will be joined by Daryl Mitchell, who remains unbeaten on 16 at the tea break.
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl on a Hagley Oval pitch with a slight green tinge, but New Zealand's batters denied him the breakthroughs he sought.
Stokes’ bowlers had an early success when Gus Atkinson dismissed Devon Conway, caught and bowled for just two. Brydon Carse struck again before lunch, removing New Zealand captain Tom Latham for 47, cutting short what had been a promising innings.
Williamson and Rachin Ravindra then added 68 for the third wicket before Stokes turned to young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who made an immediate impact with a full toss. Ravindra attempted to hit it but only succeeded in sending a simple catch to Zak Crawley at midwicket, departing for 34.
The stiff northwesterly wind made it difficult for the umpires to keep the bails on the stumps, but England's bowlers rarely threatened Williamson’s wicket as he continued to anchor New Zealand’s innings.
The master batsman struck consecutive boundaries off Bashir to reach his half-century off 90 balls, and steadily began to build towards his 33rd Test century.
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