SA vs NZ: Kane Williamson achieves historic milestone, becomes first kiwi to reach 19,000 international runs

Kane Williamson of New Zealand, the great Kiwi representative, has found his place cemented into a cricketing history milestone after becoming the first Kiwi to score more than 19,000 international cricket runs. He fulfilled the mark while taking the pitch against South Africa during their semi-final encounter at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 being held in Gaddafi stadium, Lahore. With this splendid feat now in his record book, Williamson has left behind all other players from New Zealand in the history of cricket, surpassing the record set by the former captain Stephen Fleming. 

Breaking Stephen Fleming's record

The other record that Williamson just shot down was of Stephen Fleming, who until now was New Zealand's all-time highest run-scorer across all formats. Besides adding yet another straw to his cap inducting him into the club of living legends from New Zealand, Williamson achieved this feat with only 10 runs during the highly-contested semi-final match. 

🚨 KANE WILLIAMSON CREATED HISTORY 🚨

- Williamson becomes the first New Zealand player to complete 19,000 runs in International cricket 🤯 pic.twitter.com/y33RfPEAtI

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 5, 2025

Consistency and brilliance through the years

With a mere 440 innings played, such achievement speaks volumes of Williamson's consistency and prowess through the years. In the process, Williamson has chipped in with 47 centuries in international cricket. His game has been of great significance for New Zealand in this ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with him being in a fantastic bunch of form. Interestingly, he also scored a half-century against India in an earlier match of the tournament despite it proving futile for his side. 

Half-century against South Africa

Williamson had already taken his half-century against South Africa as of the time of writing. He has inspired cricket fans worldwide through his performance under pressure, thus adding some pep to New Zealand's possibilities of meeting the finale.