Kane Williamson- The ceaseless run machine turns 25

Kane Williamson- The ceaseless run machine turns 25: There was a time after Stephen Fleming’s retirement, that New Zealand cricket was in dire need of someone to fill in his huge shoes. And that’s when the rakish and chivalrous Kane Williamson emerged onto the international cricket scene as someone who can potentially take forward New Zealand cricket. A little man that Williamson is, may look seemingly timid at times, but when given a bat in hand, he can demoralize and galvanize any bowling opposition into fear and resentment. The run machine over the years has given us an impression that he just born to do this, that is to bat feverishly.

There were huge expectations on him always, more so due to the much talked about, phenomenal loads of talent that he possesses and also his steely resolve and temperament. He was the captain of New Zealand U-19 cricket team for the 2008 world cup, and from then on he was dubbed as the next big thing in New Zealand cricket. As Kiwi legend Martin Crowe puts it, Williamson will be the next big batsman from the nation of New Zealand.

The fastest ever New Zealander to reach 3000 runs in ODIs, Williamson has an engrossing batting style, coupled with a stylishly admirable eloquence. Williamson’s batting may be slightly prone to a weakness against left arm spinners and as the numbers suggest India’s Pragyan Ojha has figures of 5 for 91 against him. But he generally is a very good player of spin and an excellent player of pace bowling, that in a way, absolutely indemnifies his weakness against left arm spin. A swift reader of the nature of wickets, and a person with an extraordinary guile to adapt to different conditions, Williamson’s tantalizing batting technique is one of the main reasons why he is one of the most difficult batsmen to bowl to.

His exceptional batting prowess was discovered as early, in his school days itself he was plundering centuries for his high school in Tauranga. And when he was picked for the New Zealand side, he never failed those that trusted him and scored a century on his first test innings. But Kane didn’t rest on the laurels and savor the hollers aimlessly, instead he kept working harder and harder, and here he is now averaging over 45 in both forms of the game and has firmly established himself as someone who will lead New Zealand cricket in the new era. He has the 3rd highest strike rate for any New Zealander, stat that speaks volumes of his ability to attack and pulverize the opposition.

With 17 international centuries against his name, and aged only 25, Williamson with his tireless service may well become one of the greatest Kiwi batsmen ever in the years to come. CricTracker wishes the swashbuckling prodigy from New Zealand a very happy 25th birthday!