Double centuries by Williamson and Nicholls, New Zealand declared at 580 for four

Double centuries from Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls and a 363-run stand for the third wicket helped New Zealand declare their first innings at 580 for four on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Williamson scored his sixth double century and was dismissed for 215 while Nicholls scored his first double hundred for New Zealand and his highest Test score. He was unbeaten on 200 when captain Tim Southee declared the innings.

This is the first time that two New Zealand batsmen have scored double centuries in the same innings of a Test. Williamson hit 23 fours and two sixes during his innings while Nicholls hit 15 fours and four sixes. The partnership was the ninth highest third wicket partnership in Tests and the highest for New Zealand since Martin Crowe and Andre Jones’ 467 against Sri Lanka in 1991.

Williamson batted for six and a half hours and Nicholls was at the crease for a minute longer than him. At stumps, Sri Lanka had lost two wickets for 26 runs in 17 overs. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne 16 and night watchman Prabhat Jayasuriya were present at the crease after scoring four runs. New Zealand started the morning at 155 for two with Williamson on 26 and Nicholls on 18.