Kane Williamson has had a lean run of form ahead of the Black Caps' World Cup campaign. Photo / Getty
Kane Williamson has had a lean run of form ahead of the Black Caps' World Cup campaign. Photo / Getty
Cricketing purists can rest easy.
Kane Williamson's 360-degree array of shots won't be permanently scarred by the left-pectoral injury he suffered at the end of the home summer.
The New Zealand captain has struggled for runs in his recovery, scoring 55 from six innings as the skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabadin the Indian Premier League. Adjusting his cricketing movements to compensate proved niggly.
He says the problem should be a distant memory when the World Cup starts this month.
"[The injury] was rare in the sense it was uncommon, but essentially it was just a muscle tear.
"It was about trying to work out the best way to rehab and that's where there were a few conversations."
Williamson has also partaken in his fair share of dialogue-melding a squad of six nationalities - from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India and New Zealand - over the past few weeks.
He may also loom as a Nobel peace prize nominee for helping integrate Australian David Warner back into a cricketing world devoid of sandpaper.
In contrast to Williamson's form blip, Warner's scored a league-leading 692 runs in 12 innings - including eight 50s and a century. That follows a year-long suspension from international and domestic cricket for his role in ball-tampering against South Africa during a test at Cape Town.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson. Photo / Photosport
Williamson is still ahead in their shared love of darts, and says the pair's mutual respect has never wavered.
"The relationship's always been there, because we've played together a number of years. He's been fantastic back helping guys in the environment.
"His own form has been prolific. He's picked up where he left off; a world-class player."
Warner's not the team's sole altruist.
Williamson has introduced teammate and Indian wicketkeeper Wriddiman Saha to the Kiwi anthem Slice Of Heaven during the tournament. When the New Zealand captain spoke to the Herald from Mumbai Airport a refrain of "da, da, da, ba, du" could be heard wafting across the departure lounge. Dave Dobbyn might want to check his royalties this week.
Williamson has also keeping a close eye on the likes of 20-year-old leg-spinning teammate Rashid Khan among his flock.
The world's third-best ODI and best T20 bowler has been central to Afghanistan flourishing on the international stage and returning for a second World Cup.
New Zealand play them third at the tournament on June 8, at spin-friendly Taunton in Somerset where Rashid could blossom.
Williamson acknowledges the Black Caps need to be wary.
"To come up against Rashid would be a big but enjoyable challenge, given the pace he bowls, his ability to disguise deliveries and spin the ball both ways. That makes him a real threat."
