Captain McCullum recognises his value. "You can't help but be pleased by how we're constructing batting partnerships through the likes of Kane and Ross early on [they put on 60 for the third wicket]. Martin's hand [44] also helped build the platform to launch our batting blueprint. It worked again [last night] under pressure which is big for our confidence."
Williamson is comfortable with his role. "We've got the two big boys up front playing shots but 50 overs can be a long time. You want to make sure you've got wickets in hand so you can use your power down low."
Williamson's form hasn't been restricted to ODIs. Since the arrival of the West Indies, he has scored 45, 56 and 58 to average 53 in tests and eight, 47 and 16 in the ODIs he played against the West Indies.
He backed up with 79 not out in Northern Districts HRV Cup twenty20 semi-final last week, also at Seddon Park. That innings enabled the hosts to progress to a victorious final.
McCullum also reflected on the efforts of Anderson, who again stunned with 44 off 17 balls and two wickets for 67 from 7.3 overs:
"His batting was brilliant again. He can be so damaging when he gets momentum. He didn't start that well with the ball but we've got to keep giving him and others opportunities otherwise they never get a chance to learn either."