Kane Williamson made a statement in his first Test back after a long hiatus in 2025 by scoring a significant half-century for New Zealand in the series opener versus the West Indies. After the loss of the important wicket of Devon Conway who was dismissed for nought, the former captain Kane Williamson made it very difficult for the opposing team to take other wickets. His fifty runs on the first day of the Christchurch Test allowed Williamson to not only surpass the 1000-run mark against the West Indies but also to go past great Ross Taylor in an enormous batting milestone.
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Kane Williamson completes 1000 Test runs vs WI
The prominent New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson was on the list of things to be grateful for the BlackCaps on the day of Test cricket that was otherwise forgettable. While most of his fellow players were unable to cope with the Windies’ bowling attack which was too much for them, Williamson gently but firmly moved to a brave half-century on a difficult pitch.
The 52-runs innings made Williamson cross the 1000-runs barrier against West Indies in Tests. He turned out to be the second batter from his nation to hit the landmark after Ross Taylor.
Most Test runs for NZ against WI
Ross Taylor- 1136
Kane Williamson – 1022
Glenn Turner – 855
BE Congdon – 764
Nathan Astle – 715
Williamson pulls ahead of Taylor in elite NZ list
Kane Williamson’s half-century in the first Test of the Christchurch Test was his fifth against the West Indies. Consequently, he was ranked joint-most fifty-plus scores (8) for the BlackCaps against the men in maroon, sharing Nathan Astle’s record and surpassing Ross Taylor’s mark.
Most fifty-plus scores for NZ against WI in Tests
Nathan Astle – 8
Kane Williamson – 8
BE Congdon – 7
Ross Taylor – 7
Stephen Fleming – 6
However, although he got a good start in his innings, Williamson could not turn his fifty into a hundred, being caught out by Justin Greaves in the 30th over. His exit was the signal for the West Indies to step up their attack as New Zealand lost three wickets more for just 12 runs before the tea break on day 1.