Auckland asked Northern Districts to bat after winning the toss, and Williamson walked towards the crease as the first wicket fell. He hit seven boundaries in his 122-ball knock that lasted nearly three hours. Williamson added 52 for the fourth wicket with Robert O’Donnell before making 36 with Brett Hampton before falling lbw to Jordan Sussex.
This was Williamson’s first match in the Plunkett Shield for five years. He last competed in the country’s top first-class competition in October 2019.
“You always feel like an ND guy, whether you’re here or not,” he said before the game. “With the balance of the international schedule, it’s good to have the opportunity to play.”
The first Test begins in Christchurch on November 28 before the series moves to Wellington and Hamilton for the next two games. Unless New Zealand makes the WTC final next year, this will be the last Test series for Williamson’s long-time teammate Tim Southee.
