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After playing a 93-run knock against England in the first Test, star New Zealand batter Kane Williamson said that the wicket was "pretty good" at Hagley Oval on Thursday.
Williamson helped New Zealand sit in the driver's seat of the first Test match against England in Christchurch. Williamson narrowly missed his 33rd Test century as the Black Caps made a decent start to the first Test against England. Williamson looked his usual self in his first match back from injury as he stroked a stylish 93 after being sent into bat by England captain Ben Stokes. Speaking after the end of the day's play, Williamson said that it was challenging for the Kiwis to get some good partnerships. He added that it was a balanced day on Thursday with both teams getting some rewards. "It was challenging, we had to work hard, some good partnerships, but the wicket was pretty good. I was just trying to adjust as to where to run (on being asked about the slippery surface). We applied ourselves well, pretty balanced day with both teams getting some rewards. An interesting day's play overall. From our perspective, we were pleased with partnerships throughout, the ball was doing a bit and we felt we got some rewards towards the end of the day," Williamson said after the end of the day's play. https://x.com/BLACKCAPS/status/1862012306042839102 Williamson barely took a risk during his time at the crease, combining for 50-run partnerships with skipper Tom Latham (47), Rachin Ravindra (34) and then Daryl Mitchell (19) as the hosts raced to the tea break at 193/3 and in control. But the former Kiwi skipper was undone by some extra bounce from Gus Atkinson (2/61) shortly after tea as he fell in the 90s for the first time in more than six years as England fought back late in the day courtesy of some excellent spin bowling from Shoaib Bashir (4/69). Bashir collected the final three wickets of the day to provide England with some hope, with Glenn Phillips and Tim Southee (10*) safely negotiating the last few overs against the second new ball. England made a strong start to the Test when Atkinson had Devon Conway (2) caught and bowled in the second over with Williamson arriving at the crease with his team once again in trouble and requiring him to perform. (ANI)
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