<p>On the second day of the second test between Australia and New Zealand, on Saturday, Kane Williamson delivered the fans what they came for with a valiant fifty-six in his 100th test.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-491078″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/theindiaprint.com-day-2-of-the-second-test-between-new-zealand-and-australia-a-fightback-led-by-tom-.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com day 2 of the second test between new zealand and australia a fightback led by tom” width=”979″ height=”734″ title=”Day 2 of the Second Test between New Zealand and Australia: A fightback led by Tom Latham and Kane Williamson 24″></p>
<p>Following the conclusion of his first innings with a disappointing total of 105 runs for the second wicket with Tom Latham, Williamson struck for his 34th test half century off 105 balls in his second innings.</p>
<p>Before Williamson was dismissed for 51, the two guided New Zealand from 6-1 to 111-2, eliminating Australia’s 94-run first-inning advantage.</p>
<p>By 40 runs at stumps, New Zealand was leading, 134-2. Rachin Ravindra was 11 and Latham was 65, his greatest test score against Australia.</p>
<p>“It’s good to put together a little partnership and hopefully tomorrow we can put a few more on there and have another go. They are quality bowlers and obviously the pitch has offered a little bit throughout,” Williamson said.</p>
<p>“Out there, they made things tough.” There is some bounce and some give to the surface. However, Tom Latham deserves praise for leading the way and playing well.</p>
<p>Fans who attended the test at Hagley Oval to honor Williamson and New Zealand captain Tim Southee in their 100th Tests felt as if they were on a pilgrimage from the beginning.</p>
<p>On the opening day, Friday, Williamson was greeted with a standing ovation as he made his way to the crease in New Zealand’s first inning. As New Zealand was bowled out for 162, he scored only 17. With his 26 wickets, Southee tied the record for most in the New Zealand innings.</p>
<p>Australia’s first innings of 256 saw Marnus Labuschagne return to form, helping the visitors take a 94-run lead in the first inning. Matt Henry claimed 7-67, his second career seven-wicket haul and second five-wicket haul of the series.</p>
<p>When Williamson entered the crease for his second inning, New Zealand was leading 6-1 and was once again met with a standing ovation.</p>
<p>Hagley Oval’s banks and bleachers were crowded on both days, and they rose in unison to cheer upon Williamson’s debut. It was “dress-up day,” so on Saturday, New Zealanders dressed as lifeguards, cavemen, or fairytale characters and Australian supporters decked out in gold received the same standing ovation.</p>
<p>After Australia had the upper hand on the first day and the beginning of the second, Williamson lived up to the welcome this time around, and his innings helped New Zealand level the contest.</p>
<p>In order to equal New Zealand’s first-inning total, Australia needed only 38 runs when play began on Saturday at 124-4. Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was one, and Labuschagne was forty-five not out.</p>
<p>In the first test, which Australia won by 172 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-test series, Lyon bewildered New Zealand by scoring 40 as Nightwatchman in the first inning.</p>
<p>He did it again, scoring 20 in a 51-run partnership with Labuschagne that saw Australia close to New Zealand’s total by just four runs.</p>
<p>After that, Labuschagne scored his maiden half-century from 90 balls in his previous six test innings. As the last over before lunch came to an end, he was on the verge of scoring his first century in fifteen innings.</p>
<p>At his home field, Hagley Oval, Henry captured three of the four wickets that fell before stumps on the first day and added four more without jeopardising his career-best total of 7-23.</p>
<p>With 28 from Mitchell Starc and 23 from skipper Pat Cummins, Australia extended their advantage to 24.</p>
<p>When New Zealand lost Young in the third over of their innings, it was a significant blow. However, Latham and Williamson remained together for the following thirty-six overs, and New Zealand had a narrow lead of 17 runs when they were eventually separated.</p>
<p>Every moment of Williamson’s innings was greeted with an enthusiastic ovation from the fans, which extended after each of his six boundaries. When Williamson reached his half-century mark 153 minutes after Latham, the clamor was even louder.</p>
<p>Latham scored from 110 balls, and Williamson followed minutes later to achieve the milestone.</p>
<p>When Cummins’ ball dipped back a little, he grabbed the inside edge and cannoned into his stumps, eventually putting an end to his innings. Once again, Williamson departed to a standing ovation.</p>
<p>Fifteen minutes before stumps, Latham, on fifty-nine, was dropped by wicketkeeper Alex Carey from Josh Hazlewood. At the first slip, the edge was heading towards Usman Khawaja, but Carey dove over and lost the grip.</p>
Day 2 of the Second Test between New Zealand and Australia: A fightback led by Tom Latham and Kane Williamson
