The uncomplicated and consistent Kane Williamson has been the Black Caps’ standout performer in 2015.
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka 2-0 at home with Williamson scoring 69 and 242* in the January second Test at Wellington.
In May in the two-Test series against England at Lord’s and Headingley, Williamson was a bit quieter with 132, 27, 0, and 6. The series finished with one win per side – a better effort than Australia in the Ashes.
But in the first Test against Australia at the Gabba, Williamson was right back to his best with 140 and 59. He scored 32.5 per cent of New Zealand’s total in a 208-run shellacking.
At the WACA in this second Test, chasing another monster Australian first dig of 9 (dec)-559, Williamson’s 166 was overtaken by Ross Taylor’s unbeaten and career high 235. He became the first New Zealander to score a double against Australia, beating Martin Crowe’s previous record of 188.
It was a welcome return to form for Taylor who celebrated every milestone by poking out his tongue as though he had just finished a personal Haka.
Before yesterday, Taylor had managed only 199 runs this year at 24.87, but their magnificent 265 partnership for the third wicket was a record for New Zealand against Australia for any wicket.
The celebrations continued with the Williamson-Taylor partnerships over the last five years totalling 2188 runs, sailing past the previous record held by former skipper Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle with 1951.
So with only two days play remaining at the WACA, a draw is the only plausible result with the scoreboard reading Australia 9 (dec)-559, and New Zealand 6-510 in reply.
That will leave Australia leading 1-0 going into the historic pink-ball-day-night third and final Test at Adelaide
There will be so many unknowns in the city of chapels, with Australia missing in-form batsman Usman Khawaja with a hamstring injury, his replacement not yet known.
David Warner and Kane Williamson will be the batting keys for each side for the remainder of this series.
Warner’s batted 18 times this year against India, West Indies, England, and the Kiwis for 1040 runs at 57.78 – Williamson 9 times with one not out against Sri Lanka, England, and Australia for 841 runs at 105.13.
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