Williamson strikes century on debut (Lunch report)

AHMEDABAD - Kane Williamson struck century on debut as New Zealand cruised to 417 for six at lunch on the fourth day of the first cricket Test against India here Sunday.

The 20-year-old became the youngest of the eight Black Caps to achieve this feat when he flicked Zaheer Khan to fine leg for a boundary. He was dismissed on 131 (299b, 10×4) by Pragyan Oja off the last over before lunch but by that time the visitors had crossed the 400-run mark.

At the luncheon break, skipper Daniel Vettori was batting at 41 with visitors trailing India’s first innings total by 70 runs.

Resuming at 331 for five in the morning, Williamson and Vettori had little difficulty in negotiating the Indian bowlers, who once again failed to get any purchase from the slow Motera wicket.

Williamson, who began the morning on 87 after sharing a 194-run fifth-wicket partnership with fourth day’s centurion Jesse Ryder (103), showed remarkable poise as he raced to the 90s.

A hook off Zaheer’s short delivery brought Williamson on 97 and two balls later he flicked his ninth boundary to reach his hundred, grinning and raising his bat to his teammates. His century came in 244 balls in 24 minutes into the morning session.

Vettori, who is playing his 100th Test, overcame initial nerves and soon settled down to provide solid support to young Williamson. The two added 86 runs before Williamson edged Ojha to V.V.S. Laxman at the first slip.