England were powerless to stop Kane Williamson registering a New Zealand record 18th Test century on a rain-wrecked second day of the pink-ball Test at Eden Park.
Williamson (102) completed his century, going one above team-mate Ross Taylor and Kiwi great Martin Crowe, before James Anderson saw him off with the second new ball.
After England’s miserable 58 all out in the first session of this series opener, the hosts consolidated adequately as they moved from 175 for three to 229 for four in the 23.1 overs possible.
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Tweet of the day
Williamson’s century an emotional milestone for us @BLACKCAPS fans but one feels just a stepping stone for our greatest.
— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) March 23, 2018
April showers ahead of time
Thunder clouds lurking ominously round Eden Park already. Forecast to dump plenty here over next three days. pic.twitter.com/DEKO8RZ1IZ
— David Clough (@DavidBClough) March 23, 2018
Okay, they are supposed to happen in the English spring, and it is only late March here anyway. But after England’s batsmen provided one big one on Thursday, a succession of them descended on Eden Park on Friday to preclude all but a single moment of wider significance – Williamson’s hundred.
Stat of the day
What next?
The Match Officials have made the call that there will be no more play today. We will be back tomorrow at @edenparknz with the earlier start time of 1.30pm. #NZvENG
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 23, 2018
Plenty more rain over the weekend, according to the forecasters, and just the possibility England could yet escape with a draw.
