Peter White: Williamson ton an omen of greatness

Bay of Plenty's Kane Williamson scored his first Twenty20 century on Friday. Photo / Getty Images

Kane Williamson's journey to become New Zealand's finest batsman of all time took another upward turn in India on Friday.

The 24-year-old from Tauranga scored the fastest recorded century at the star-studded and lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in Raipur. Williamson took just 49 balls to reach 101 not out against South Africa's Cape Cobras, including eight fours and five sixes, to guide the Knights to the top of their group.

It was the likeable Williamson's first Twenty20 ton at any level. I think he is now our best batsman in all forms of the game. He has taken over that mantle ... just ... from Ross Taylor, who is still a magnificent player, but Williamson has age on his side and a burgeoning confidence to go with his watertight technique.

He has the best work ethic of any player on the international circuit, according to his coaches and fellow players, and is always striving to improve his game. When he takes over the New Zealand captaincy in 18-24 months, I expect his game will go up yet another level.

The six he hit over long off to bring up the milestone in Raipur was especially significant as it was reminiscent of Martin Crowe at his very best. Crowe is the benchmark for New Zealand batsmen and for an 18-month period in the mid-1980s was rated the No1 batsman in the world.

Williamson is not there yet but in the last 12-month cycle, in all three forms of the game, he has shown what he is capable of. He has scored seven hundreds from 34 tests and three centuries from 54 ODIs, but Twenty20 was not regarded as his game. Too slow and correct, his critics said. Not anymore, they do.

In India, three out of his four innings have proved match-winners for the Knights, who look capable of beating anyone and could win a giant stash of cash. Aside from Williamson, the batting looks strong but the new-ball bowlers in Tauranga's Trent Boult and Tim Southee are key. The Black Caps spearheads are making the ball swing beautifully and will give the Australian and IPL sides plenty to worry about in the matches ahead.

The Knights play Hobart Hurricanes on Wednesday, Kings XI Punjab on Saturday and Barbados Trident next Wednesday (all 2.20am starts, NZ time). Good luck to the Knights, who are well led by two former Mount Maunganui club players in coach James Pamment and captain Daniel Flynn.