NZ vs SL, 2nd Test | Double centuries for Williamson, Nicholls put New Zealand on top

New Zealand declared its first innings at 580-4 on the second day

Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls made double centuries in a 363-run partnership for the third wicket as New Zealand amassed 580-4 before declaring its first innings Saturday on the second day of the second cricket test against Sri Lanka.

Williamson posted his sixth double century and was out for 215 and Nicholls brought up his first and highest test score for New Zealand and was 200 not out when captain Tim Southee signaled the declaration.

It was the first time two New Zealand batsmen had scored double centuries in the same innings of a test.

The partnership was the ninth-highest for the third wicket in all tests and New Zealand’s highest since Martin Crowe and Andre Jones made 467 against Sri Lanka in the Basin Reserve in 1991.

Williamson batted for 6-1/2 hours and Henry for one minute longer.

New Zealand resumed Saturday at 155-2 with Williamson 26 not out and Nicholls and 18. Williamson and Nicholls stayed together for most of the rest of the day.

“It was great fun. The way Kane batted was brilliant and he just allowed me to do my thing,” Nicholls said. “We had ebbs and flows throughout the day but as I said it was a fun day.