Jack Tame: An Ode to Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

I get it Kane. You're a cricket geek. You're a technician of the game.

You don't play cricket for girls or cash or travel or power or fame.

You don't do social media. You don't Instagram or tweet.

You're as comfortable playing back or forward with those technically perfect feet.

I remember when you started out. I remember your first ton.

I remember the captain noting it wouldn't be the only one.

It was your debut innings. A hundred in your very first test!

The eighth New Zealander to achieve the feat and potentially the best.

But you barely gave a toss. You're not one to celebrate.

You're not like David Warner, whom everyone's come to hate.

You didn't scream or thump the ground. You didn't hit the sauce.

You didn't take your bat and pretend to ride it like a horse.

Watching you take guard makes me feel all safe and warm.

We never have to worry about a troubling dip in form.

Kane, I hope you don't get weird about this but since you don't say much,

I'll offer some observations about your splendid cricketing touch.

You're as comfortable nurdling spinners as you are in smashing pace.

Watching you play cricket is like watching Da Vinci paint a face,

Each innings a mighty cathedral, each ball a simple stone.

You build and accumulate and you're always in the zone.

This week was no different. You calmly steadied the ship.

Records fell and with you at the crease we never lost our grip.

It was like watching Hendrix play guitar. Like Senna in a race.

You have a brain surgeon's nerve and a ballet dancer's grace.

You're a young man with big talent. It won't go to your head.

Cos you're a cricket geek and I get that. You'll leave the records all for dead.

And I couldn't have been more stoked this week when after we won the test,

They announced that you, Kane Williamson, are officially World's best. Bravo.