New Zealand’s talismanic batsman Kane Williamson was not a happy man after his mode of dismissal in the first Test match against Australia at Basin Reserve in Wellington. The key batter was dismissed in a bizarre fashion, in what was a big blow to the home side in the first innings. Earlier, Australia posted a competitive total of 383 in the first innings, courtesy of Cameron Green’s unbeaten 174 (23 fours and 5 sixes).
In response, the hosts required the key batsmen to step up and deliver the goods. However, Australia’s paceman Mitchell Starc got off to a surreal start as he shattered Tom Latham’s stumps and the opener made his way back to the dressing room after scoring 5 runs. Just as when New Zealand were in a spot of bother, hoping for Kane Williamson to anchor the innings, he was dismissed in a bizarre manner.
Unlucky Kane Williamson gets dismissed due to a collision
During the last ball of the 5th over, Kane Williamson who faced just one ball and was hoping to open his account, nudged Mitchell Starc’s swinging delivery down the ground with a view to get off the mark. However, his partner Will Young realized that Kane hit the ball close to the fielder and hence a run was not really mandatory in the first place. As a result, Will Young said, “Wait on” but Kane Williamson was desperate to take a run.
The pressure is on New Zealand after Kane Williamson was run out – the first time in a Test Match since 2012
@BLACKCAPS v Australia: 1st Test | LIVE on DUKE and TVNZ+ pic.twitter.com/S9itasfaDg— TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) March 1, 2024
Meanwhile, Will Young who remained at the non-striker’s end realized that Kane Williamson was already halfway down the track. Rightly so, he decided to run towards the striker’s end before a mix-up made things worse for New Zealand. Kane Williamson who was rushing towards the other end accidently rammed into Will Young. Marnus Labuschagne collected the ball and hit the bull’s eye as unlucky Williamson departed for a duck.
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New Zealand failed to recover from Kane’s dismissal as the hosts ran through a major batting collapse. They were bowled out for 179 in the first innings. On the contrary, Australia have a lead of 217 runs. Tim Southee provided a stellar start as he dismissed Steve Smith for a duck and Marnus Labuschagne for 2 runs as Australia ended Day 2 at 13/2.