Kane Williamson returns to test action with a half century for New Zealand against West Indies

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — For Kane Williamson it was business as usual.

After 12 months away from test cricket as a privateer in professional leagues around the world, Williamson ground out his 38th half century for New Zealand on Tuesday on the first day of the first test against West Indies.

It wasn’t classic Williamson: he was rusty and it showed. He played and missed more than usual, many of his early runs came from thick edges and on 33 his stumps were shattered by a no ball.

But his dogged nature was evident as he reached 52 from 102 balls after coming to the crease when Devon Conway was out to the third ball of the day. Williamson put on 93 for the second wicket with Tom Latham and helped New Zealand overcome a makeshift but demanding West Indies attack to reach 231-9 by stumps.

Latham, also out of sorts, made 24, scoring from only 11 of the 85 balls he faced. Of his half century partnership with Williamson from 105, he contributed 10.

West Indies captain Roston Chase needed no prompting to bowl after winning the toss. There was heavy greenish grass on the pitch at Hagley Oval and a brooding overcast promised the ball would swing.

Chase showed faith in a pace attack led by Kemar Roach, playing his first since January aged 37; Ojay Shields on debut at 29 and Johann Layne, playing his second test at 22.

“With age coming on and I hadn’t represented the West Indies as yet I didn’t think it was necessary to challenge the youngsters for a place in the Jamaica Scorpions franchise team. So I literally was thinking of giving up,” Shields said.

“That first over, my heart was pumping real hard. I took control of my emotions and did what I had to do.”

Only 10.3 overs were bowled in a rain-affected first session at the end of which New Zealand was 17-1. New Zealand added 121 runs in an extended second session in which 32.3 overs were bowled and at the cost of Williamson, Latham, Ravindra and Will Young.

Williamson was bowled by Shields in the 19th over but the 29-year-old was denied a prime wicket on debut when he over-stepped. He fell finally to a superb ball from Greaves which pitched short of a length and New Zealand was 94-2.

Latham was out one run later, driving at a ball outside off which moved away slightly and carried from a thick edge to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach.

After tea, Tom Blundell stepped up the pace with 29 from 39 balls. In the first two sessions New Zealand had been so cautious that Chase was able to keep his field up, with only one man out. The result was that more threes were run than is typical in a New Zealand innings.

Blundell was bowled by Shields to finally give the stocky right-armer his first test wicket.

Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith (23) put on 52 for the seventh wicket, guiding New Zealand past 200, and Bracewell went on to 47 from 73 balls.

New Zealand is the only test-playing nation yet to start its campaign in the new World Test Championship cycle. New Zealand’s only other test series in 2025 was against Zimbabwe in August, a 2-0 series win.

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West Indies' Roston Chase, left, and teammate John Campbell celebrate after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Nathan Smith during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Nathan Smith bats against the West Indies during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

West Indies' Shai Hope falls after attempting to field against New Zealand during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

West Indies' Justin Greaves celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand's Kane Williamson during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

West Indies' Roston Chase lays on the ground after attempting to field against New Zealand during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Kane Williamson makes runs agains the West Indies during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Tom Latham bats against the West Indies during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

Fans wait under umbrellas during a during a rain delay during the cricket test match between New Zealand and the West Indies in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

West Indies captain Roston Chase, center, talks to his players ahead of play against New Zealand during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

West Indies bowler Kemar Roach appeals for the wicket of New Zealand's Kane Williamson during their cricket test match in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Four astronauts strapped into NASA's new moon rocket and awaited liftoff Wednesday on humanity’s first lunar trip in more than half a century.

The three Americans and one Canadian waved and shaped their hands into hearts as they emerged from crew quarters to cheers and said goodbye to their families. The crowd applauded and cheered again as the astronauts boarded their astrovan for the nine mile (14-kilometer) ride to the launch pad.

Commander Reid Wiseman thanked the throngs who gathered to see them off.

“It's a great day for us. It's a great day for this team,” Wiseman called out.

Tensions were high earlier in the day as hydrogen fuel started flowing into the rocket. Dangerous hydrogen leaks erupted during a countdown test earlier this year, forcing a lengthy flight delay.

To NASA's relief, no significant hydrogen leaks occurred. The launch team loaded more than 700,000 gallons of fuel (2.6 million liters) into the 32-story Space Launch System rocket on the pad, a smooth operation that set the stage for the Artemis II crew to board.

A problem cropped up with the rocket's flight-termination system with only two hours remaining in the countdown. Commands weren't getting through to the system, which is needed to send a self-destruct signal in case the rocket veers off course and threatens populated areas. But the issue was quickly resolved, according to NASA.

“It is time to fly,” Wiseman declared on the eve of launch via X. Favorable weather was forecast.

The four will fly around the moon without stopping or even orbiting — then head straight back for a Pacific splashdown. They will set a new distance record for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth as they zoom some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) beyond the moon and then hang a U-turn.

Astronauts last flew to the moon during Apollo 17 in 1972.

Artemis II is the opening shot of NASA's grand plans for a permanent moon base. The space program is aiming for a moon landing near the lunar south pole in 2028.

“The next era of exploration begins,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman posted on X.

Best wishes already have started to pour in, including from England's King Charles III to Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Hansen will become the first non-U. S. citizen to launch to the moon. The crew also includes Christina Koch and Victor Glover, the first woman and first Black astronaut, respectively, destined for the moon.

“In this historic moment, you stand as a bridge between nations and generations,” the king wrote in a letter to Hansen, “and I commend you for your courage, discipline and vision that have brought you to this threshold.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Astronauts, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, right, and Pilot Victor Glover wave to family members as they leave the Operations and Checkout Building for a trip to Launch Pad 39-B and a planned liftoff on NASA's Artermis II moon rocket at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Artemis 2 crew member Commander Reid Wiseman holds "Rise" after the crew's arrival at the Kennedy Space Center Friday, March 27, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Commander Reid Wiseman poses for a photo with family members after leaving the Operations and Checkout Building for a trip to Launch Pad 39-B and a planned liftoff on NASA's Artermis II moon rocket at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Astronauts, from left, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, of Canada,, Pilot Victor Glover, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch pose for a photo after leaving the Operations and Checkout Building for a trip to Launch Pad 39-B and a planned liftoff on NASA's Artermis II moon rocket at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

NASA's Artermis II moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center hours ahead of a planned launch attempt Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

This photo provided by NASA shows NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, from left, Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, right, in a group photograph as they visit NASA's Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, Monday, March 30, 2026, at Launch Complex 39B of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)

NASA's Artermis II moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center hours ahead of planned liftoff Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)