Williamson rates as New Zealand's best

NZ Herald·

23 May, 2015 04:46 AM2 mins to read

Kane Williamson now holds New Zealand's greatest test average. Photo / Getty Images

Kane Williamson has long been touted as a special talent and his 92 not out this morning saw him rise to the top of New Zealand's all-time batting averages.

Coming into the test with an average of 45.96, Williamson's impressive knock overnight has seen his current mark rise to an outstanding 47.36 in 72 innings, surpassing John Reid's average of 46.28 for the top New Zealand average of batsmen to have played at least 20 innings.

Even if Williamson is dismissed overnight without adding to his current total, his average would still surpass Reid's at 46.65, further adding to the increasing lore of New Zealand's most plaudited young batsman.

The Northern Districts product also currently rates second on the New Zealand one-day ladder, with his average of 44.76 trailing only Glenn Turner's 47.00.

If Williamson can add his name to the Lord's honours board he would be just the sixth New Zealander to bring up 10 centuries, after John Wright, Martin Crowe, Nathan Astle, Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum.

Additionally, a 10th century before the age of 25 would see him join an elite group of historical greats in Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Alastair Cook, Garry Sobers, Neil Harvey, Graeme Smith and Javed Miandad.

Williamson also made a noticeable move up the all-time New Zealand test runs list overnight, moving into 11th place. The right-hander surpassed Craig McMillan and Richard Hadlee overnight, and now just sits 204 runs behind the tenth-placed Chris Cairns.

A New Zealander hasn't recorded a century at Lord's since 2008, when Jacob Oram hit 101, while only Oram and Mark Richardson have raised their bats at the famous ground since the turn of the century.

Williamson will have a chance to join that elusive group tonight.