Williamson celebrates after scoring his 10th Test century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson scored a century to ensure his side maintained their control over England on the third day of the first Test at Lord’s.
Williamson was well supported by fellow batsman Ross Taylor and wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling, who made 62 and 61 respectively.
Starting out the day on 302/2, Williamson and Taylor converted their 155-run partnership into a 189-run stand, during which Williamson brought up his 10th Test century and Taylor his half-century, before Taylor was brilliantly caught by England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler off the bowling of Stuart Broad.
Taylor’s excellent knock of 62 came off 135 balls and included seven boundaries.
Taylor hit seven boundaries during his knock of 62
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Williamson and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum kept the runs flowing with a 66-run partnership before McCullum was caught by Joe Root at third man for 42 to give debutant Mark Wood his first Test wicket.
Corey Anderson only made nine runs before he was the victim of another spectacular catch by Buttler off the bowling of Wood.
Williamson and Watling stabilised the innings with a 50-run partnership before Williamson was caught by Gary Ballance at short leg off the bowling of Moeen Ali.
Williamson’s brilliant innings of 132 came off 262 balls and included 15 boundaries.
Following Williamson’s dismissal, New Zealand’s lower order crumbled and they were ultimately bowled out for 523, which gave them a 134-run lead.
Watling finished unbeaten on 61, which came off 86 deliveries and included of 11 boundaries.
Watling remained unbeaten on 61
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Broad, Wood and Ali picked up three wickets apiece, while James Anderson chipped in with one.
Trailing by 134 runs, England got off to a poor start as debutant Adam Lyth was caught by Tim Southee at slip off the bowling of Trent Boult for 12.
Ballance failed to trouble the scorers as he was clean bowled by Southee for a duck.
England skipper Alastair Cook and Ian Bell steadied the innings with an unbeaten 49-run partnership before stumps was called.
Cook finished on 32 off 81 balls, which included two boundaries, while Bell remained undefeated on 29 off 55 deliveries, which included four boundaries.
Boult and Southee claimed one wicket each.
England ended day three on 74/2 and will continue batting tomorrow at 11:00 local time or 10:00 GMT.