Kane Williamson of New Zealand bats during day two of the 1st Investec Test Match between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground on May 22, 2015 in London, England. Photo/Getty
Kane Williamson of New Zealand bats during day two of the 1st Investec Test Match between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground on May 22, 2015 in London, England. Photo/Getty
I thought Kane Williamson would struggle to perform with the bat in the first test against England underway at Lord's in London.
He had just two games in the IPL, with his last innings a score of 5 at Bangalore on April 13.
Two months of eating room service tikkamasala and watching others play would affect anyone's preparation, right? No chance.
Williamson's renowned training ethic is unlike any other player I have heard of and it meant he was mentally and physically ready. In front of a full house in the unique setting of Lord's, the 24-year-old continued his remarkable run of form. His first innings score of 132 was his 10th test century and takes his test average to 47.97, closing in on the magic 50 mark that categorises the great players. Lord's is a special place and Williamson is a special player.
It was also great to see three Mount Maunganui residents all playing for New Zealand in the test. Williamson, Trent Boult and Corey Anderson all live about an Anderson straight six from the ocean and continue to play a large part in keeping cricket's profile so high among the next generation of Western Bay cricketers.
Boult took four wickets in England's first innings but I am sure will be disappointed he missed out on a five-wicket bag and getting his name on the famous Lord's honours board.
There are many outstanding cricket venues in the world but none have the history and old world charm of Lord's.
The venerable institution located in the heart of swanky St John's Wood in North West London, not far from Abbey Road and Regent's Park, has a special vibe that even the Sydney Cricket Ground does not come close to matching.
The famous slope of the ground is the same as when Thomas Lord founded the ground in 1814 and creates quite a challenge for bowlers and batsmen alike. Television coverage does not indicate quite how pronounced the slope is that runs downhill left to right across the ground if looking from the Members' end.
The iconic Long Room from where the players enter the playing area is the eccentric heart of Lord's. I was fortunate enough to spend a day there as the guest of a member during the season opener between the MCC and the county champions.
Players have to walk through the large bar area where members are often in the way.
It is full of characters and the batsmen get plenty of advice on the way out to bat.
