Kane Williamson Scripts History: Shatters Records with Majestic Century in Champions Trophy Semi-Final

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In a high-stakes semi-final clash against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Kane Williamson once again proved why he is one of the finest batters of his generation.

The New Zealand talisman scripted history with a masterful century, propelling his side to a formidable total of 362/6 in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

With this innings, Williamson not only set the stage for a thrilling contest but also became the first Kiwi batter to breach the 19,000-run mark in international cricket—an achievement that places him among the greats of the game.

A Record-Breaking Knock in Lahore

Williamson, known for his calm demeanor and textbook stroke play, delivered a stunning 102 off 94 balls, studded with 10 fours and two sixes. His knock, full of elegant drives and cheeky scoops, laid the perfect foundation for New Zealand’s explosive finish. This was Williamson’s 15th ODI century and his third consecutive ton against South Africa—a feat that highlights his dominance over the Proteas in recent years.

But the significance of this innings extended far beyond just another three-figure score. In the process, the former New Zealand skipper leapfrogged AB de Villiers’ tally of 47 international centuries, drawing level with cricketing legends Rahul Dravid and Steve Smith at 48. Williamson also became the second New Zealand batter with four centuries in ICC ODI events, surpassing Chris Cairns.

Milestone Alert: Fastest to 19,000 Runs

As he orchestrated yet another batting masterclass, Williamson reached an extraordinary milestone—becoming the first New Zealand batter to score 19,000 international runs. He achieved the feat in 440 innings, making him the fourth-fastest in history to do so, behind only:

• Virat Kohli (399 innings)
• Sachin Tendulkar (432 innings)
• Brian Lara (433 innings)
• Kane Williamson (440 innings)

Williamson needed just 27 runs to reach this landmark before the match, and he wasted no time in etching his name into cricketing folklore. He brought up the milestone in typical style, with a delicate ramp shot over the wicketkeeper’s head—one of his signature strokes.

A Commanding Partnership with Rachin Ravindra

Walking in at No. 3 after Will Young’s dismissal, Williamson initially played second fiddle to the aggressive Rachin Ravindra, who was in scintillating form. The duo stitched together a 164-run partnership off just 154 balls, dismantling South Africa’s pace attack with ease.

While Ravindra unleashed an array of strokes—including three consecutive boundaries off Marco Jansen—Williamson took a more calculated approach. However, once he found his rhythm, he took charge, pulling out exquisite flicks and lofted shots against the formidable South African attack. The moment that defined his innings was an audacious scoop against Kagiso Rabada, proving that even at 34, Williamson continues to add flair to his classical technique.

New Zealand’s Late Surge: Mitchell & Phillips Take Over

After Ravindra fell for a spectacular 108, Williamson shifted gears, racing to his century in just 91 deliveries. However, his stay was cut short when he mistimed a scoop attempt and was caught off a fuller delivery. Despite his dismissal, New Zealand maintained the momentum, thanks to Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.

Mitchell, after a slow start, went berserk in the death overs, smashing 6,4,6 off Ngidi to push the total past 320. Meanwhile, Phillips turned the final overs into a highlight reel, hammering Jansen for four consecutive boundaries before finishing unbeaten on 49. In total, New Zealand plundered 110 runs in the last 10 overs, with 83 of those coming in the final six—ensuring that they posted a daunting total of 362/6.

Williamson, the Backbone of New Zealand Cricket

With his latest century, Williamson reaffirmed his status as the backbone of New Zealand cricket. Already the country’s highest run-scorer across formats, he continues to be a pillar of consistency and grace under pressure. His contribution in ICC tournaments has been immense, and with this knock, he also became New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer in the Champions Trophy, surpassing Stephen Fleming.

Fleming had accumulated 441 runs in 13 matches, but Williamson, with his hundred in Lahore, eclipsed that mark in just 10 innings. This statistic alone speaks volumes about his impact in crucial tournaments.