Left Arm Around

Kane Williamson struck his second century of the match as New Zealand ram home their control of the first Test against South Africa at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Williamson, 33, hit his 31st Test century in sumptuous a knock of 109 from 132 balls.

This is the first time Williamson has scored twin centuries in a Test, becoming the fifth Kiwi in history to achieve the remarkable feat.

The hosts finished the day 179-4, with a mammoth lead of 528 runs.

South Africa captain Neil Brand claimed 2-52 to back up the six wickets he took in the first innings.

The tourists began the 80-4 in response to NZ’s 511 all-out, but wickets soon tumbled as David Bedingham (32) fell to Matt Henry and Ruan De Swardt departed two balls later after Henry trapped him LBW for a duck.

Keegan Petersen battled hard with a valiant 45, and Clyde Fortuin hung around with a 52-ball 9, however the Kiwis remained disciplined and the lower-order struggled to resist.

The Proteas ended their first innings on 162-all out- Henry and Mitchell Santner the pick of the bowlers with 3-31 and 3-34 respectively.

NZ then made use of helpful batting conditions and exposed an inexperienced South African attack to score at over 4 runs per over after opting against the follow-on.