Kane Williamson Becomes New Zealand’s Fourth-Highest Run-Scorer in ODIs

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson etched his name further into the record books on Sunday, surpassing former batter Nathan Astle to become the fourth-highest run-getter in New Zealand’s ODI history. The milestone came during his fighting knock in New Zealand’s final group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy against India in Dubai.

Williamson played a crucial innings, scoring 81 off 120 balls, which included seven boundaries. Though he tried to anchor the chase of 250, his effort came to an end when KL Rahul executed a sharp stumping off Axar Patel’s bowling.

With this innings, Williamson now has 7,122 runs in 171 ODIs at an impressive average of 49.11 and a strike rate of 81.44. His record includes 14 centuries and 47 half-centuries, with a highest score of 148.

Astle, whom Williamson overtook, had scored 7,090 runs in 223 ODIs at an average of 34.92. His career featured 16 centuries and 41 half-centuries, with a highest score of 145*.

New Zealand’s all-time top three ODI run-scorers remain Ross Taylor, who leads the charts with 8,607 runs in 236 matches at an average of 47.55 (21 centuries, 51 fifties), followed by Stephen Fleming with 8,007 runs in 279 matches at an average of 32.41 (eight centuries, 49 fifties), and Martin Guptill with 7,346 runs in 198 matches at an average of 41.73 (18 centuries, 39 fifties).

In the match against India, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. India’s top-order crumbled early, leaving them at 30/3. A 98-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer (79) and Axar Patel (42 off 61 balls) brought stability, but the dismissals of Iyer and KL Rahul (23) pushed India back to 182/6. Ravindra Jadeja (16) and Hardik Pandya (45 off 45 balls) stitched a crucial 41-run stand, helping India post 249/9 in 50 overs. Matt Henry was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming 5/42 in eight overs.

Chasing 250, New Zealand struggled to build momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. Williamson fought hard with his 81-run knock, but India’s spin attack, led by Varun Chakravarthy (5/42), dismantled the middle order. Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with 2/56, while Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja took a wicket each, restricting New Zealand to 205 all out and securing a 44-run victory for India.

With this loss, New Zealand finished second in Group A and will now prepare for their semifinal clash against South Africa in Lahore, while India will take on Australia in Dubai.