Williamson, Southee look to rebound in milestone test against Australia

One piles up runs, the other piles up wickets. Both Kane Williamson and Tim Southee will hope to add to their hauls when they play their 100th test match against Australia in Christchurch this week.

Few New Zealand cricketers have done more for the nation as individuals, so it is fitting they will celebrate the milestone as a collective at Hagley Oval from Friday.

Not that either will be eager to soak up the attention or even betray much emotion as the Black Caps look to bounce back from defeat in Wellington.

"Although Tim and I have a bit of attention coming into this game, it’s about the team, what we need to try and do as a side and what we need to improve on," Williamson told reporters on Wednesday with a shrug.

"I don’t know (how I'll feel). So if you see me crying then you can say, 'I told you'."

At 33, the mild-mannered Tauranga man is still very much in his prime.

New Zealand's greatest batter became the fastest man to 32 test centuries in the recent series win against South Africa, and joined Don Bradman and Steve Smith as the only players to score five hundreds in five home tests in succession.

With 378 test wickets, 35-year-old captain Southee is second only to Richard Hadlee (431) in New Zealand's all-time list and could eclipse the knighted quick in another couple of seasons.

UNDER PRESSURE

Both Southee and Williamson have led the team with distinction, the former having succeeded the latter as test captain at the end of 2022.

Williamson took New Zealand to the inaugural World Test Championship title in 2021, while the Black Caps remain unbeaten in five series under Southee.

Yet both players have arrived in Christchurch under pressure to perform against New Zealand's long-time nemesis.

The Black Caps have won only one