Williamson and Southee's special 100

Mar 05, 2024

Tim Southee and Kane Williamson will both be making their 100th Test appearances when New Zealand take on Australia in the second Test in Christchurch. Here's a look at their journeys in whites•Getty Images

Williamson made his debut in 2010 aged 20 against India and became only the eighth New Zealand batter to score a century in his first Test•Associated Press

Meanwhile, Williamson kept growing in stature. In 2012, he first survived 228 deliveries to secure a draw at home against a formidable South African attack before hitting a century to help New Zealand win in Colombo•Associated Press

Southee continued to be a key bowler for New Zealand. He could swing the ball late, but also developed variations to make him a threat in less-friendly conditions. England were his favourite opponents, as he took the most wickets against them. He picked up two six-wicket hauls at Lord's and another one against England at home•PA Photos/Getty Images

Southee took over New Zealand's Test captaincy from Williamson in December 2022. In Williamson's first game under Southee, he scored an unbeaten 200 against Pakistan. Seven more centuries have followed, including another double, his latest being the 133 not out against South Africa. Williamson will go into his 100th Test comfortably on top of New Zealand's run charts•Getty Images

Southee, on Test debut against England in Napier in 2008, not only took a five-wicket haul but also blazed a 40-ball 77, scoring New Zealand's fastest Test fifty at the time, off 29 deliveries•Getty Images

Williamson and Southee's best partnership came early in their careers. In a defeat against Pakistan in 2011, they added 84 runs for the eighth wicket in Hamilton•Getty Images

Williamson had a golden run from 2013 to 2015. A vital part of the team under new captain Brendon McCullum, Williamson hit ten centuries in this period, including his maiden double-ton, an unbeaten 242 against Sri Lanka in Wellington. Some of his other special knocks in this time included the 113 against India in Auckland, 192 against Pakistan in Sharjah, and his 140 and 59 at the Gabba•AFP/Getty Images

Southee developed a deadly partnership with Trent Boult. The two played 65 Tests together, sharing 541 wickets between them. While Boult now prefers T20 leagues over Tests, Southee is still heading the New Zealand attack•Associated Press

In 2023, in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch, Southee went past Daniel Vettori to become New Zealand's second-highest wicket-taker in Tests. He goes into his 100th Test 53 scalps behind Sir Richard Hadlee•Getty Images

Southee always had a knack for adapting to different conditions, exemplified by the fact that his best figures of 7 for 64 came in Bengaluru in 2012. He went on to take eight wickets in a Test win in Sri Lanka later that year•Associated Press

In 2016, Williamson took over as New Zealand's all-format captain. In his first Test as skipper, he made 91 in a thrashing of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. He went on to lead New Zealand to 22 wins in 40 Tests. Only Stephen Fleming has more: 28 victories in 80 matches•AFP/Getty Images

In 2021, Williamson and Southee were part of history as New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship title, beating India in the final in Southampton. Williamson made scores of 49 and 52* while Southee took with five wickets. Southee was New Zealand's highest wicket-taker in the campaign, claiming 56 scalps. Williamson was their best batter with 918 runs, including three centuries and two fifties•AFP/Getty Images

On Friday, two of the strongest pillars of New Zealand's greatest era in Test cricket will reach a milestone only four of their compatriots have achieved•Fiona Goodall/Getty Images