Kane Williamson surpasses Ponting but misses out on Tendulkar record; scores century in Hamilton

Williamson's impressive performance in this match also catapulted him to becoming the third-fastest cricketer to achieve 33 centuries in Test cricket, accomplishing this feat in just 186 innings. Surpassing the likes of Younis Khan, who achieved this milestone in 194 innings, as well as Steven Smith and Kumar Sangakkara, who reached it in 199 innings, Williamson's remarkable consistency is truly unmatched. Keeping pace with Smith, who recently reached his 33rd Test century against India at the Gabba in Brisbane, Williamson continues to showcase his unparalleled talent and determination on the cricket field.

The Kiwi batter sits behind only Ricky Ponting, with 178 innings, and just behind Sachin Tendulkar, who did so in 183 innings. Williamson had the chance to overtake Tendulkar earlier in this series, reaching 93 in his 181st innings in Christchurch, before falling in the nervous 90s.

178 inns: Ricky Ponting

183 inns: Sachin Tendulkar

186 inns: Kane Williamson

194 inns: Younis Khan

199 inns: Steve Smith

199 inns: K Sangakkara

With his potentially match-winning knock in Hamilton, Williamson also knocked down a host of other records. He became only the eighth cricketer to have 20 centuries or more in one country, following in the footsteps of greats such as Ponting, Tendulkar, Sangakkara, and Jacques Kallis. He also became the first player to have scored 20 centuries in New Zealand.

Williamson continued his love affair with Seddon Park as well, with this being his fifth consecutive match with a century at the venue. Williamson is the first ever player to rack up five consecutive centuries at one ground, overtaking a long list of players who have done so in four consecutive matches.

With his century, Williamson also became the player with the best average at single venue with at least 20 innings played at that ground. He now averages 94.94 at Seddon Park in Hamilton, ahead of Brian Lara in Antigua, where the Windies legend averaged 78. Only Sangakkara (8 centuries at Colombo SSC), Kallis (9 in Cape Town), Donald Bradman (9 at the MCG) and Mahela Jayawardene (11 at Colombo SSC) have more Test centuries at one venue than Williamson’s 7 at Seddon Park.