New Zealand finished the second day of the second Test on 286-3, just 11 shifts of the first innings in Pakistan, after an unbroken stand of 215 between Kane Williamson (112no) and Henry Nicholls (89no) in Christchurch
The Reuters
Last updated: 04/01/21 9:31 am
Kane Williamson hit his 24th Test as New Zealand enjoyed the second day of the second Test against Pakistan in Christchurch.
Kane Williamson confirmed why he is currently a Test top scorer with a brilliant 112 not out to keep New Zealand on course for the first texture attack against Pakistan in the final second Test in Christchurch Monday.
Williamson’s strong 215-run stand by Henry Nicholls, unbeaten on 89, helped the hosts finish the second day on a strong 286-3 in response to Pakistan’s first innings of 297.
New Zealand are already 1-0 up in the league and only need to pull to rise to the top of the world rankings for the first time.
Earlier, openers Tom Blundell (16) and Tom Latham (33) fell in a row while Ross Taylor left early after making 12 at the Hagley Oval.
With New Zealand able to be in trouble at 71-3, Williamson was around first and scored just 10 of the first 50 balls he faced.
An unbroken 215 stand between Henry Nicholls, left, and Williamson has given Hagley Oval the Black Caps advantage.
The New Zealand captain then went well into his engines, accelerating once he noticed his half-century.
Williamson, who scored 251 and 129 in his last two test innings, broke four times in Naseem Shah’s over to go from 78 to 94 on the way to his 24th test.
“He just loves to bat,” New Zealand batting coach Luke Ronchi said. “He works hard at times and then plays those amazing scenes to score his scratches. It just makes the game look easy when others don’t seem to get it. so easy. “
Nicholls received two catches captured to stay on his course for his seventh-century trial with Shaheen Afridi as the lucky bow player in all cases.
S Africa against Sri Lanka
January 5, 2021, 7:55 am
Live on 
Early in his inning, Nicholls was captured by keeper Mohammad Rizwan but the archer was found to have crossed.
On the second occasion, Rizwan poured a controlling grip behind the stocks.