New Zealand faced England in the third Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Saturday, December 14. England elected to bowl first after winning the toss, striking early with the dismissal of Will Young, who contributed a solid 42 off 92 balls. Kane Williamson entered with New Zealand at 105/1, steadying the ship initially before building a promising partnership with Tom Latham.
Kane Williamson looked in control, dealing confidently with boundaries as he adjusted to the pitch. However, following Latham’s dismissal, Williamson and Rachin Ravindra were tasked with rebuilding the innings. Unfortunately, the former New Zealand skipper’s day ended dramatically due to an unusual dismissal.
Facing Matthew Potts, Williamson defended a delivery that ricocheted off the pitch and headed toward the stumps. Realizing the danger, Williamson instinctively attempted to block the ball with his leg, but it struck firmly, dislodging the bails. His dismissal for 44 runs off 87 deliveries, including eight boundaries, left him visibly frustrated, a rare moment of anguish for the seasoned batter.
ALSO READ: Shoaib Akhtar Questions Virat Kohli’s Greatness, Says He Can’t Surpass Sachin Tendulkar
After Williamson’s exit, New Zealand’s middle order struggled to consolidate. While several batters made brief appearances, none could anchor the innings effectively. The exception was Mitchell Santner, who remained unbeaten on 50* by stumps on Day 1. New Zealand closed the day at 315/9, leaving England in a commanding position heading into the second day.
Bizarre dismissal of Kane Williamson.pic.twitter.com/OUbISifFj7
— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) December 14, 2024
Adding to the emotional weight of the match, Tim Southee, New Zealand’s skipper, confirmed it was his final Test appearance. At the toss, Southee reflected on his illustrious career with visible emotion. “This is a moment you hope never comes, but I believe it’s the right time. It’s been an incredible journey. Hopefully, we can put in a great performance this week and finish on a high,” Southee said.
ALSO READ: Brendon Julian Urges Usman Khawaja To Retire After Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
The veteran pacer, who has played over 100 Tests, expressed gratitude for the friendships and memories forged throughout his career. “Test cricket has been special for me. I’ll cherish these moments and look forward to watching this talented group as a fan,” he added.
With the series already decided in England’s favor, this Test carries significant sentimental value for Southee and New Zealand, offering a chance to bid farewell to their leader in style.
