Kane Williamson creates history, becomes 1st Kiwi batter to…

On Wednesday (March 5), New Zealand's star batter Kane Williamson made history by becoming the first Kiwi cricketer to accumulate 19,000 runs in international cricket.

New Delhi: On Wednesday (March 5), New Zealand’s star batter Kane Williamson made history by becoming the first Kiwi cricketer to accumulate 19,000 runs in international cricket. The 34-year-old right-handed batsman from Tauranga reached this milestone during the ongoing second semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025 between New Zealand and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Williamson needed 27 runs to achieve this milestone in the match, and he did so by taking a single on the final ball of the 19th over bowled by Keshav Maharaj.

Williamson is the 16th player globally to surpass 19,000 runs in international cricket.

Most runs in international cricket:

• Sachin Tendulkar (India): 34,357
• Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, Asia, ICC): 28,016
• Virat Kohli (India): 27,598
• Ricky Ponting (Australia, ICC): 27,483
• Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka, Asia): 25,957
• Jacques Kallis (South Africa, Africa, ICC): 25,534
• Rahul Dravid (India, Asia, ICC): 24,208
• Brian Lara (West Indies, ICC): 22,358
• Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka, Asia): 21,032
• Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies): 20,988
• Joe Root (England): 20,724
• Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan, ICC, Asia): 20,580
• Ab de Villiers (South Africa, Africa): 20,014
• Rohit Sharma (India): 19,624
• Chris Gayle (West Indies, ICC): 19,593
• Kane Williamson (New Zealand): 19,000*

Most runs for New Zealand:

• Kane Williamson – 19,000*
• Ross Taylor – 18,199
• Stephen Fleming – 15,289
• Brendon McCullum – 14,676
• Martin Guptill – 13,463

In his 384th international match for New Zealand, Kane Williamson crossed the 19,000-run milestone in his 440th innings, making him the fourth-fastest player in history to reach this achievement.

Virat Kohli of India holds the record for the quickest to 19,000 runs, accomplishing the feat in his 399th innings. He is followed by Sachin Tendulkar (432 innings) and West Indies legend Brian Lara (433). England’s Joe Root and Australia’s Ricky Ponting both reached the 19,000-run mark in their 444th innings.

Fastest batters to score 19,000 runs:

• Virat Kohli (India) – 399 innings
• Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 432 innings
• Brian Lara (West Indies) – 433 innings
• Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 440 innings
• Joe Root (England) – 444 innings
• Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 444 innings

The Kiwis are counting on Kane Williamson in their ongoing match against South Africa. A victory over Temba Bavuma’s team will secure a spot for Mitchell Santner & Co. in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, which is set to be held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9, against India.

Williamson, who ranks as New Zealand’s fourth-highest run scorer in ODIs, contributed 81 runs off 120 balls in their previous Group A match against India on Sunday, March 2, in Dubai. However, despite his efforts, he couldn’t guide the Black Caps to a second consecutive win over India in the tournament.

Along with Williamson, Rachin Ravindra will play a crucial role in New Zealand’s match against South Africa. The left-handed batsman has been in excellent form lately, having scored a century in the Group A game against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 24.