England pair break record held by Watling and Williamson

Kane Williamson and BJ Watling put on 365 to set the test record for the sixth partnership, a record broken overnight. Photo / Getty

A partnership record BJ Watling has held twice was taken away from the Black Caps test keeper last night.

England pair Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow broke the sixth wicket partnership record last night, putting on 399 as England reached 629 for six declared against South Africa.

Bairstow (150 not out) joined Stokes (258) at the wicket with England 223-5 and they took the tourists through to 622 before Stokes was run out.

The partnership broke a record held by Watling and Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson last season.

Watling first broke the record alongside skipper Brendon McCullum against India in February, 2014 at the Basin Reserve as the pair put on 352 to pass Sri Lankan duo Mahela Jayawardene and Prasanna Jayawardene's record of 351.

Watling made 124 and McCullum 302 as they helped secure a draw and a series win for the Black Caps.

A year later, after a special plaque was placed at the Basin to recognise the record, Watling broke it again, with Williamson against Sri Lanka. Once again it was in New Zealand's second innings, Watling made 142 and Williamson 242, both not out, to put on 365 for the sixth wicket.

The Black Caps face Australia at the Basin Reserve in the first test on February 12.
Watling also had a 201-run stand for the sixth wicket with Jimmy Neesham against the West Indies at Kingston in 2014.

Well batted, @benstokes38 & Jonny Bairstow, but we're counting on @B_Jwatling bringing the record back in #NZvAUS. pic.twitter.com/FtLobJ24bF

— Basin Reserve (@BasinReserve) January 3, 2016