Kane Williamson test centuries: A closer look at the Black Cap’s 33 tons

By Cameron McMillan

Deputy Head of Sport·NZ Herald·

16 Dec, 2024 05:02 PM5 mins to read

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Kane Williamson celebrates his 33rd test century, scored against England at Hamilton. Photo / Photosport

Analysis by Cameron McMillan

Cameron McMillan is Deputy Head of Sport for NZME. He has been a sports journalist for 20 years and was on duty in 2011, when the All Blacks put things right.

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When a 20-year-old Kane Williamson walked out to begin his test career on day three at Ahmedabad in 2010, the Black Caps record at the time was 17 test centuries held by the great Martin Crowe.

A day later, Williamson was on his way, 16 shy of that mark

Forty appears to be realistic at that pace. That would put him at fourth on the all-time list. That seems some way away but considering Williamson had 21 tons just over four years ago, it might not be too far-fetched.

In his last 15 tests, he’s passed 100 eight times, including three in four innings against South Africa at the start of the year.

Williamson finishes 2024 with 1013 runs in nine tests, with an average of 59.58. The only other time he scored more runs was in 2015 when he amassed 1172 at an average of 90.15.

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What could work against Williamson is a very light test schedule in 2025, which currently sits at four, but could increase to seven, according to The Post. As it stands the Black Caps tour Zimbabwe in July, however with Williamson opting out of a central contract, he can also opt out of that trip.

The only other scheduled test series is a West Indies visit to New Zealand next summer for three tests. Against the West Indies, Williamson averages 60.62, with three centuries including a 251 in Hamilton.

2026 provides a more promising and challenging test schedule with three tests in England, India at home for two tests and then a four-test tour of Australia.

Williamson’s 156 at Seddon Park was his 20th century in New Zealand, and his fifth against England. He now has five or more against England, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

In the past year, Williamson has passed Don Bradman, Virat Kohli, Matthew Hayden, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Steve Waugh and Alastair Cook to move to 11th on the all-time list. One more and he’ll surpass Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardene, Sunil Gavaskar and Younis Khan to move to seventh - due to the fewer innings it has taken Williamson to reach the marks.

Serious greats of the game. He’s edging closer to a serious discussion of whether he overtakes Sir Richard Hadlee as New Zealand’s Goat.

Maybe a closer debate if Williamson gets to 36 centuries, matching Hadlee’s 36 five-wicket bags, which would put him fifth all-time.

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But if you factor in Williamson’s ODI, T20 and captaincy record, he could be already there.

The one name that has surged by Williamson on the all-time list is the equally brilliant Joe Root, who going into day four in Hamilton has 19 tons in the last four years - that’s across 55 tests. Over the same span, Williamson has played 23 tests and scored 10 centuries.

By the end of the third test, Root would have played 31 innings in 2024, the same number of times Williamson went out to bat the last two years.