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Williamson caps Kiwis' perfect day

Black Caps skipper within sight of record-breaking century after blowing away England for 58 before lunch

A clinical Kane Williamson has sealed a perfect first day for New Zealand in their day-night Test against England in Auckland.

The Black Caps went to stumps on Thursday at 3-175, 117 runs ahead of England, who were earlier bowled out for 58.

Reeling after their shellacking at the crease – their sixth-lowest Test innings in history – the tourists endured more pain from a motivated Williamson.

The Kiwi captain was close to his 18th Test century, which would surpass Martin Crowe’s record, and was 91 not out at stumps.

He walked off Eden Park alongside Henry Nicholls, who anchored for Williamson after the loss of Tom Latham and Ross Taylor for 26 and 20 respectively.

Nicholls was unbeaten on 24 from 67 deliveries.

Williamson was in vintage form in his side’s first Test since December, scoring freely at long on and deep extra cover to go to 91 from 177 balls.

In the end, the day belonged to New Zealand’s pacemen.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee tore the English batting line-up to shreds in the afternoon, taking all 10 wickets between them in less than 21 overs.

With the new pink ball swinging, Boult was unplayable.

Image Id: 270A3841BE7F48CE8573E3028FBBA9A9 Image Caption: Williamson catches Broad // Getty

The left-arm paceman had England at sixes and sevens to secure career-best figures of 6-32, while Southee finished with 4-25.

If not for Craig Overton’s unbeaten 33 and a 31-run 10th-wicket stand with James Anderson, England had faced being dismissed for the lowest Test total in history – an honour still belonging to New Zealand, skittled in 1955 by England for 26.

Talismen Joe Root and Ben Stokes both went for ducks, clean bowled by Boult, while Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad also fell for no score.

Alastair Cook and Dawid Malan scored five and two respectively, before edging swinging Boult deliveries and heading to the pavilion.

With Boult and Southee’s displays and Williamson’s century, New Zealand hold all the cards heading into Friday’s second day in Auckland.

Rain, however, is forecast for much of the afternoon.

ENGLAND'S TIMELINE OF TERROR AT EDEN PARK

4.2 - 1-6 Alastair Cook c: Latham b: Boult, 5

It took 26 balls for the carnage to begin, with former skipper Alastair Cook's edge to second slip off Trent Boult one of the worst collapses in Test history.

6.2 - Joe Root b: Boult, 0

Two overs later, Boult grabs his second as Cook's successor Joe Root’s expansive drive finds only fresh air, the young captain bowled for a sixth ball duck by a nip-backer.

8.1 - 3-16 Dawid Malan c: Watling b: Boult, 2

Dawid Malan had rescued England a number of times during the recent Ashes series but he becomes Boult's next victim when the left-hander edges behind with keeper BJ Watling taking a terrific catch going to his left.

9.4 - 4-18 Mark Stoneman c: Watling b: Southee, 11

Another catch for Watling with Tim Southee getting in on the act. This time opener Mark Stoneman nicking one off the backfoot

10.3 - 5-18 Ben Stokes b: Boult, 0

Making his long-awaited return, Ben Stokes surely didn't think he'd be out in the middle with his pads on this early. Playing for some outswing, the allrounder plays all around a cleverly scrambled-seam seam delivery from Boult and sees his off stump knocked back.

11.2 - 6-18 Jonny Bairstow c&b: Southee, 0

The softest of all the dismissals, Jonny Bairstow limply chips one straight back at Southee in his follow through to leave England in all manner of trouble.

12.6 - 7-23 Chris Woakes b: Boult, 5

At this point, Boult is simply unstoppable, this time shaping one back into the right-handed Chris Woakes and clattering yet another ball into the pegs.

13.4 8-23 Moeen Ali b: Southee, 0

Moeen Ali's miserable summer continues as he plain misses a full toss from Southee to leave England seriously staring down the barrel of the lowest-ever Test score of 26.

15.4 - 9-27 Stuart Broad c: Williamson b: Southee, 0

When it rains, it pours. While England sneak past 26, the Black Caps' remarkable day continues as Kane Williamson takes an absolute blinder at gully off a  Stuart Broad cut to leave the veteran quick dumbfounded.

20.4 - 10-58 James Anderson c: Nicholls b: Boult, 1

After some lusty slogging from Craig Overton saved England some blushes, Boult claims his sixth wicket – No.11 Jimmy Anderson guiding one to point – to leave England, incredibly, all out before lunch.