Kane Williamson lofted himself into cricketing folklore last night.
With New Zealand nine down chasing 152 for victory against Australia, he deposited Pat Cummins over long on with a match-winning six to finish on 45 not out and carry the Black Caps to the top of their Cricket World Cup pool and the Chappell-Hadlee trophy.
Glenn Maxwell may regret this taunt.
The Australian made a choking gesture to the crowd at Eden Park yesterday as the Black Caps looked ready to throw it all away.
The Black Caps had notched up 145 for seven,and needed just seven more runs to win. But Mitchell Starc bowled viciously in the 23rd over, removing Adam Milne and Tim Southee in consecutive balls, and knocking the air out of the the home crowd.
The Black Caps went to nine down with six runs still required for the win. Starc threatened to clinch it for the Australians, but Trent Boult survived the last two balls of his killer over. That left Williamson the huge job of winning the game for the Black Caps.
It was against this scene that Maxwell turned to New Zealand fans and put his hands to his throat in a choking gesture.
But it was a rash jibe as Williamson hit the next delivery off Pat Cummins for six, securing victory for New Zealand.
Kiwi supporters in the area did give him credit when he turned and clapped to the crowd when it sailed for six.
According to a report in the Guardian, Aussie skipper Michael Carke told his team after their dismal batting performance: 'we've got three runs too many for them'.
Williamson later explained his reasons for taking on the boundary rather than just trying to accumulate the final runs.
"I was looking to hit a boundary, ideally a six, because it was quite tough the way [Mitchell] Starc swung the ball throughout the innings," he explained. Video
"I tried to keep the total out of my mind and just bat. It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you do."
