Exhibit A was the call to persevere with Matt Henry. Williamson set an attacking field and allowed the right-armer to settle in with a seven-over spell. That was key in refuelling Henry's campaign confidence after getting tonked in the warm-up against the West Indies. He trudged away from that match with two wickets for 107 runs – an economy rate of 11.88 - from nine overs. There were no maidens…
Cardiff presented a "Dear Santa" situation for the Cantabrian. He got picked after Tim Southee picked up a right calf strain; the Sophia Gardens pitch was Kermit-green; and Williamson won the toss.
Henry secured the wicket of Lahiru Thirimanne lbw after a review. Williamson was resolute in asking umpire Ian Gould to refer it, and New Zealand had a wicket with the second ball of the match.
Seven unchanged overs later Henry had figures of three for 29 and had resurrected his tournament mojo. Imagine his vitality storming in with three slips in place in an ODI. Fast bowlers must dream of such luxuries.
It's unclear what this means for Southee. He seemed a logical bet to return to the New Zealand attack after Henry's Bristol struggles, given his record of 25 wickets at 28.16 in 16 ODIs in England. Now that decision is blurred and, as Williamson mentioned before the tournament, presents "good problems".
Williamson kept gliding through his bowling gears. Lockie Ferguson came on first change for Boult, then Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner melded into the fray. Importantly, every bowler took at least one wicket, helped by fielders pursuing the ball like it was scampering off with their wallet. Three – Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Colin de Grandhomme even struck in their first overs, further embellishing the vibe.
And all the time, Williamson ran the cutter with his steady temperament. Behind the iridescent sunglasses, zinced lips and coiffed beard lies a cricketing mind driven as much by empathy for teammates as winning at all costs. That can only bode well the further they advance in the tournament.
