Cricket: Kane Williamson won't let first test success sway judgement

Kane Williamson celebrates his century. Photo / Photosport

Having sent England in and seen them dissolve in 20.4 overs on the first day at Eden Park, Kane Williamson won't let that sway his judgment at the toss in the season-ending second test starting in Christchurch tomorrow.

Events on the first day of pink ball test cricket in New Zealand were stunning – England rolled for just 58, their sixth lowest alltime test total – and New Zealand marching off into the distance at 175 for three by stumps. That led to an eventual innings and 49-run swamping of England.

Even though Hagley Oval tends to be seamer friendly, Williamson will wait until tomorrow morning and a final look at the pitch before firming his thoughts should he win the toss again. The return of the red ball might also figure in his thinking.

"Usually the red ball tends to have similar characteristics (to the pink) when it's new. There's a bit more bounce, movement but when it's older it doesn't do as much," Williamson said.

"With the pink ball you have the night session and other things that come into play that can have an impact."

The expectation is for another firm pitch giving some help to the seamers before helping the batsmen through the middle period.

Spin could figure later on, which is where the recalled Ish Sodhi would come into play. Legspinner Sodhi is back for his 15th test, and first for 18 months, in place of the injured leggie Todd Astle.

New Zealand have leant heavily on fast-medium bowling for success in the four tests at Hagley Oval since the debut match against Sri Lanka in late 2014.

Of the 73 opposition wickets taken by New Zealand against Sri Lanka, Australia Pakistan and Bangladesh, a whopping 71 were taken by seamers so no prizes where the accent will be from tomorrow.

In that quartet of tests, Trent Boult has taken 22 wickets at 23.0; Tim Southee 20 at 21.9 and Neil Wagner 17 at 25.7.

Williamson reinforced his pleasure at the way New Zealand played the first test at Eden Park.

"It was a fantastic experience for us," he said.

"We wanted to make sure we still played test cricket and didn't get caught up in the pink ball.

"A lot of hard work went into it, the way the bowlers bowled, the length they bowled. Then the way the batsmen applied themselves to high pressure bowling when scoring was tough to come by."

England's captain Joe Root wants to end a difficult and demanding visit downunder on the right note. He expects more from his batsmen - there were an England record-equalling five ducks in the first innings at Eden Park - there have been some hard conversations, but he wants to lead from the front himself.

As one of the world's premier batsmen, he reflected yesterday on his disappointment at his personal battle for runs in Australia and New Zealand.

In six tests he has scored 429 runs at 42.9, including six half centuries with a top score of 83.

"It's been a constant battle," he said of his batting.

"Not for the lack of trying or wanting to make massive contributions. The art of batting is to make those big hundreds and put your side into a strong position to win.

"If you want guys to go out and make big scores and the team score 400 plus, you have to lead the way."

New Zealand are chasing their first series win over England since 1999. Since then they have had four lost and three drawn rubbers.

They have won their last two tests against England – at Leeds in 2015 and last Monday. Those back-to-back wins are a first.

An 11th test win over England in the coming days will give them a hat-trick. It would also put a cherry on top of the international season too.

There's no short of incentives for the hosts.