Kane Williamson Breaks Ross Taylor's Record To Become New Zealand's Leading Run Scorer In International Cricket

Kane Williamson broke former captain Ross Taylor’s record of 18,199 runs to become the leading run scorer for New Zealand in international cricket on Sunday (September 22). The 34-year-old right-handed batter needed 72 runs in the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle to break Taylor’s record, and he achieved the feat during his 30-run knock in the second innings.

The former New Zealand captain, who is also the leading run scorer for them in Test cricket, had earlier scored 55 runs in the first innings.

With a total of 85 runs in the series opener, Williamson now has 18,213 runs to his name in 359 matches for the Black Caps.

Most runs for New Zealand in international cricket

• Kane Williamson – 18,213
• Ross Taylor – 18,199
• Stephen Fleming – 15,289
• Brendon McCullum – 14,676
• Martin Guptill – 13,463

Williamson, who led New Zealand to victory over India in the 2021 World Test Championship final made his debut for Kiwis on August 10, 2010 during an ODI played against India in Dambulla. His Test debut also was against India in Ahmedabad on November 4, 2010 and he played his first T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on October 15, 2011.

Williamson has scored 8828 runs in 101 Tests for NZ and has 6810 and 2575 runs to his name in 165 ODIs and 93 T20Is.

He was the captain of New Zealand team that reached the final of 2019 ODI World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup but on both occasions, he ended up on the losing side.

NZ need 275 runs to win

In the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka, the Tim Southee-led side that managed to take a 35-run lead in the first innings needs 275 runs in the fourth innings to win the match. The hosts got out all for 309 runs in the second inning. For them, former captain Dimuth Karunaratne top-scored by making 83 runs, whereas Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Matthews made contributions of 61 and 50 runs, respectively.

First-inning centurion Kamindu Mendis was, however, unable to much with the bat and got out after making 13 runs in the second inning. For the Kiwis, spinner Ajaz Patel picked up six wickets, and pacer William Orourke accounted for the dismissal of three batters.

New Zealand hasn’t lost a Test match against Sri Lanka in the last five years, and they will be eager to maintain the streak.