Conway left stumped by Kane’s praise
After he scooped two Black Caps awards to cap a breakout international season, Devon Conwaymessaged his captain Kane Williamson to congratulate him on winning the top gong.
The response from the world’s top-ranked test batsman and fourtime Sir Richard Hadlee Medal winner moved Conway to laughter, and a touch of disbelief.
‘‘It’s funny, he sent amessage saying ‘it’s been awesome to watch you play, and learn’, and I giggled and said: ‘learn, come on mate, there’s nothing that you haven’t learned’. The person he is, it’s great to get to know him and watch him,’’ Conway said.
Yes, the man who batted nearly 29 hours and averaged 159.75 in the 4-0 test series sweep over West Indies and Pakistan looked to Conway for ways to improve. No higher praise to receive, for the elegant left-hander who was named Black Caps Twenty20 and ODI player of the year, and averaged over 50 in all four domestic and international formats he batted in.
Of Williamson, Conway said: ‘‘I can’t emulate the way he plays, because he’s so good. You just take the small things and see how well he does them, like playing the ball late, having a good position, head always still ... watching that up front and the amount of time he’s got playing the ball, it’s incredible.’’
This mutual admiration society will continue in England, when the Black Caps reconvene to try to topple India in the World Test Championship final on June 18. Conway will almost certainly make his test debut against England at Lord’s on June 2, most likely as Tom Latham’s opening partner.
For now, Conwaywas back at the Basin Reserve yesterday to reflect on the most remarkable debut season in recent memory, after he became eligible for New Zealand selection in August, three years since arriving from South Africa.
He was boosted by messages of support from current South Africa internationals David Miller, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Tabraiz Shamsi and Kagiso Rabada, and humbled by New Zealanders’ response and the way he was accepted into the Black Caps.
‘‘Receiving a message this morning from Timmy Southee saying ‘you’ve been awesome, on and off the field’, things like that makeme feel very welcome,’’ he said.
Now 29, Conway felt better prepared to handle his debut than if he’d been 21 or 22. ‘‘A bit of a surprise was the fact that international level is not too much of a step up. It’s more the mental pressure you put on yourself.’’