Williamson’s the man to steady ship
If their No 3 batsman plays his usual game today New Zealand will be in good hands
On a humid night in Dhaka at the 2011 World Cup, New Zealanders got an insight into the tenacity of Kane Williamson. Then 20 and batting at No 6 against South Africa in a World Cup quarterfinal, he had been at the crease nine balls . . . and New Zealand were flailing at 156 for five in the 39th over.
Williamson, now the inspiration behind “Steady The Ship”emblazoned T-shirts, was unfazed. His 38 off 41 balls guided New Zealand through the final overs to make 221. They won by 49 runs.
Williamson rewarded thencaptain Daniel Vettori’s instinct.
“. . . Kane went in and played his natural game. He ran hard and found gaps. He’s going to be a wonderful asset if he keeps playing that way.” Prophetic words. An archetypal Williamson innings today against South Africa, to take New Zealand beyond the 35th over mark with less than four wickets down, would go a decent way to sealing an inaugural World Cup final berth. A match-winning six, as he delivered to enter folklore at Eden Park against Australia last month, would also meet the criteria.
Williamson missed the two ODI losses at Mt Maunganui in October but made 66 off 53 balls in the 134-run warm-up victory pre-tournament. He has delivered other memorable innings against South Africa.
In the Basin Reserve test in 2012 he spent 228 balls and almost five and a half hours to see off incumbent ODI bowlers Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vern Philander. He earned a century and a cracked box, courtesy of Steyn.
Williamson also produced a match-winning 145 not out off 136 balls to win the ODI series for New Zealand at Kimberley in January 2013 as the team recovered from the test series loss with the dismissal for 45 fresh in their minds.
Williamson has generated enormous respect in the South African ranks as a result. Speaking to him ahead of today’s match, as the Proteas were rolling into the hotel, Williamson greeted each of them courteously before resuming the conversation.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for the South Africans. You’re testing yourself against the best but they’re a good bunch of fellas, so there are friendships off the field as well.”
One of the players Williamson acknowledges is Hashim Amla, his South African batting doppelganger for patience, poise and serenity. When Williamson spent a stint at Yorkshire in 2013, he caught up with Amla, who was playing at Surrey. The South African said he’d been hitting the ball as well as ever. Amla had made a pair against Somerset not long before, yet made good on his word with a century the next day.
That mirrors Williamson’s mantra — he doesn’t want to be defined by the runs he scores but by the way he gets them, and by putting the best possible practice in place to succeed.
Williamson and the current New Zealand team ethos fit hand in batting glove.
“It’s so important, particularly in white ball cricket, to buy into a team philosophy and play for one another.
“Take Martin’s knock [the 237 not out against the West Indies]. Playing in that selfless way means you can extend yourself and your game.
“Then the guys around him: Grant [Elliott], Corey [Anderson], Luke [Ronchi] and Dan [Vettori] were expected, from ball one, to score at a quick rate to move the team forward. It’s great for the team to see that; it’s what we’re about.”