New Zealand’s Kane Williamson has scored seven centuries in his last eight innings against South Africa.

The 34-year-old’s incredible run dates back to 2017, and includes five Test and two ODI hundreds.

His latest knock of 102 helped the Black Caps beat the Proteas in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.

OPINION: Pathetic Proteas crash and burn again

Kane Williamson vs Proteas

 

Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson struck brilliant centuries as New Zealand posted the highest-ever Champions Trophy total of 362-6 in their semi-final against South Africa in Lahore.

Ravindra cracked a 101-ball 108 while Williamson hit 102 off 94 balls on a batting-friendly Gaddafi Stadium pitch after New Zealand won the toss and batted first.

Daryl Mitchell clubbed 49 off 37 balls and Glenn Phillips smashed a 27-ball 49* as the Black Caps plundered 110 runs in the last 10 overs and 66 in the last five.

The winners will face India in the final in Dubai on Sunday.

The Proteas’ bowling lineup struggled right from the start as Ravindra and Will Young (21) put on 48 for the opening stand.

It was followed by a magnificent 164-run stand for the second wicket between Ravindra and Williamson that put the New Zealanders on track for a massive total, as the duo scored at will with some delightful strokes.

Ravindra completed his fifth ODI hundred – all coming in ICC events – from 93 balls with a two off Kagiso Rabada.

Williamson reached his 15th ODI hundred with a ramped boundary, his third three-figure score in as many matches against South Africa.

It was Rabada who finally ended the partnership by dismissing Ravindra caught behind. Ravindra hit 13 fours and one six in total.

Williamson chipped Wiaan Mulder into the hands of Lungi Ngidi in the 40th over after hitting 10 fours and two sixes.

Mitchell and Phillips added some late impetus after the Proteas had briefly dragged things back to give themselves hope of limiting the score to under 350.

Fast bowler Ngidi finished with 3-72, while Rabada ended with figures of 2-70.

Australia posted the previous highest Champions Trophy total with a successful chase of 356-5 against England in the group stage, also in Lahore, giving the Proteas hope that they can still reach the final.

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Photo: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

Kane Williamson hit a brilliant century to take New Zealand into the Tri-Series final with a thumping six-wicket win, overshadowing Proteas opener Matthew Breetzke’s record score.

Breetzke scored 150, the highest score by any batsmen in his first ODI, to lift South Africa to 304-6 but Williamson’s unbeaten 133 proved match winning at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The Tri-Series is a warm-up event before the eight-nation Champions Trophy starting on 19 February in Pakistan and the UAE.

Pakistan, the third team in the Tri-Series, will play South Africa on Wednesday in Karachi to decide who meets New Zealand in the final at the same venue on Friday.

HIGHLIGHTS: Proteas vs New Zealand (Tri-Series ODI)

Williamson hit his first ODI century in nearly five years on Monday and was ably supported by opener Devon Conway who missed his century by just three runs.

The pair added a solid 187 runs for the second wicket after Will Young was dismissed for 19, steadily setting New Zealand’s second win in as many games in the Tri-Series.

Williamson was so assured of finishing the game that the loss of Daryl Mitchell (10) and Tom Latham (nought) did not deter him as he hit the winning boundary to seal the win in 48.4 overs.

Meanwhile, a new record for the highest ODI score on debut was clinched by Breetzke, who smacked 11 fours and five sixes, topping the 148 scored by Desmond Haynes for the West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 1978.

Breetzke hit New Zealand pacer Will O’Rourke for a boundary to reach three figures off 128 balls, becoming the fourth player from his country to hit a century on ODI debut.

The Proteas were forced to give four debuts in this match as their top players were either active in the SA20 back home or recovering from injuries.

New Zealand brought in Conway for Rachin Ravindra who got injured in team’s 78-run win over Pakistan in Lahore on Saturday.

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Photo: PCB

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was blown away by the unique atmosphere at St George’s Park when Durban’s Super Giants met the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Gqeberha.

DSG superstar Williamson has played in all the great cricket cathedrals of the world from Lord’s to the MCG, and Eden Park to Eden Gardens, Williamson has seen it all.

South Africa’s oldest Test venue once again lived up to its reputation with the brass band and Orange Army on its feet for almost the entire match dancing to the various tunes.

Even though Williamson’s Super Giants suffered a defeat on the day, the Kiwi will still leave Gqeberha with some special memories.

“Firstly, disappointing to be on the wrong side of the result, but the atmosphere was just incredible. I remember it fondly … goodness me … about 13 years ago I played a Test match here and to come back and see a full house here was quite special to be honest.

“It would have been nice to be on the right side, but I supposed they were singing a bit louder because their team had their noses in front. A special place to play.”

The Super Giants now head back up the East Coast for their last two home matches at Kingsmead, starting with a crucial clash against MI Cape Town on Tuesday before hosting the Paarl Royals on Thursday.

Last season’s runners-up have suffered a dip in form, though, with three consecutive defeats and will need to turn around their fortunes very quickly if they are to remain in contention for the playoffs.

Williamson feels they are not far off and require just a few minor tweaks to get the Super Giants back to winning ways.

“There is a lot of experience in that dressing room and all of us have been in this situation before,” Williamson said. “And the games come thick and fast. It is just about keeping coming back to the basics and not over-reacting. There are a lot of fantastic players in that dressing room and it’s about doing it collectively

“Naturally, every game there is the intention to win, but for us is to make those improvements and get nice and clear. Often after a few losses those things are highlighted, it is important for us to play with that freedom and trust the quality in the dressing room.

“The conditions have lent itself to rhythm play. It’s about finding a way to be competitive and focusing on what we want to do and how we want to do it.

“We go back to Durban now and it’s important that we make those small improvements.”

Photo: Deyrck Foster/Sportzpics

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