Williamson Century Rescues New Zealand

Williamson Century Rescues New Zealand

Kane Williamson (left) and Doug Bracewell staved of defeat with a key partnership for New Zealand

©REUTERS / Action Images

South Africa 474-9 dec. & 189-3 dec. drew with
New Zealand 275 & 200-6 (Williamson 102no)
Third Test, Wellington
Scorecard

Kane Williamson stroked an unbeaten century to guide New Zealand to safety and a draw in the third and final Test against South Africa in Wellington.

After being set an unlikely 388 to win when South Africa declared on 189 for three, they closed on 200 for six with Williamson not out on 102.

68 from AB de Villiers in 49 balls and 33 not out in 23 balls from JP Duminy helped South Africa accelerate as they pushed for victory after Alviro Petersen (39) and Graeme Smith (41) had fallen.

New Zealand were in big trouble at 83 for five before Williamson joined forces with Kruger van Wyk (39) and then Doug Bracewell (20 not out) to avoid defeat.

He faced 228 balls and hit nine fours on the way to his second century.

Nevertheless, courtesy of a nine-wicket win in Hamilton after the opening Test in Dunedin was drawn, South Africa won the series 1-0.

© Cricket World 2012