Cricket: Williamson scores maiden century

Kane Williamson rewrote the record books by scoring a test cricket century on debut for New Zealand against India today.

The 20-year-old become the youngest of eight New Zealanders to achieve the feat on the fourth morning at Sardar Patel Stadium when flicking Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan to fine leg for his ninth boundary.

Williamson resumed this morning on 87 with the tourists on 331 for five pursuing India's first innings of 487 after sharing a New Zealand fifth wicket record of 194 with Jesse Ryder, who was dismissed off the final ball yesterday for 103.

Accompanied to the middle this morning by new batting partner and captain Daniel Vettori, Williamson portrayed no signs of nerves as he quickly moved into and through the 90s.

He hooked a short ball from Zaheer to fine leg to move to 97 and, despite a leg slip being put in place, two balls later he flicked the bowler off his hip in the same direction to reach the milestone 24 minutes into the morning session.

Williamson's century occupied 309 minutes and 244 balls.

After 35 minutes New Zealand had progressed to 357 for five with Williamson on 106 and Vettori on six.

- NZPA