Top 5 T20I Knocks Of Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson scores a fifty on T20I return (X.com)
With a plethora of legendary players from one of the smallest parts of the world, the Kiwis have managed to add magic to the game of cricket. Among these greats, Kane Williamson is the greatest player New Zealand have ever produced in the history of cricket, who has played some gem of knocks in his career so far.
Despite being the kind of a player, who likes to spend time in the middle and loves to play long innings, Williamson has adapted to T20 cricket admirably. He has been nothing short of an extraordinary player since his T20I debut in 2011. In 88 T20Is, the right-hander has managed to score over 2500 runs, with a healthy average of over 33
The last T20I he played was in November 2022 and he has again found his way back to the national team after battling injuries and a busy schedule. Even on his comeback against Pakistan, Williamson proves to be the foremost batter of New Zealand, scoring a half-century and seems ready for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Let's rewind to Kane Williamson's top 5 T20I knocks from his 12-year-long career so far.
85 (48) vs Australia, Dubai, T20 World Cup 2021 Final
Against Australia in the T20 World Cup 2021 final (X.com)
While the player's capability is being adjudged by their performances in the high-magnitude clashes, Kane Williamson aced that even in the shortest format as well. This 85-run knock against Australia in the final of the T20 World Cup 2021, was nothing short of an impeccable effort to go out and put the Kiwis in a tremendous position.
With no batter contributing much in the summit clash of the T20 World Cup, Kane Williamson stepped up against the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Where everyone failed to score, Williamson not only scored 85 runs but smashed the Aussies with a brisk strike rate of over 177 and helped the Kiwis post a total of 168. However, his knock was for a losing cause but it was nothing short of a match-winning effort.
51 (35) vs South Africa, Bangladesh, T20 World Cup 2014
Back in 2014, Bangladesh hosted the T20 World Cup and Kane Williamson was playing his 15th T20I game, which was against the South African team. The Proteas posted a total of 170 runs while batting first and the chase wasn't going to be an easy one for the Kiwis, considering Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Albie Morkel were enjoying their prime time.
Despite all the odds, Williamson stepped up and played a brilliant knock of 51 runs off just 35 deliveries, smashing the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. He gave a powerful start to the Kiwis and the chase started to seem quite possible. But Steyn brought a storm in his second spell and claimed four wickets. Again, Kane's efforts went in vain as the Kiwis lost the game by just 2 runs.
72 (46) vs England, Wellington, Trans-Tasman T20I Tri Series 2018
Against England in 2018 (X.com)
New Zealand hosted a Tri-Nation T20I series for Australia and England in 2018. While the Aussies dominated the series and won as well, the host could only manage to win one game, which eventually led them to the final, as England's net run rate was lower than that of the Kiwis.
The only game New Zealand won was against England, in which Williamson was the standout performer with his 72-run knock. With the help of four boundaries and four maximums, he smashed the English bowlers and helped his team post a huge total of 196 runs while batting first.
95 (48) vs India, Hamilton, 2020
Against India in 2020 (X.com)
After the World Cup 2019, team India toured New Zealand for an all-format tour. While, the Indians claimed a 5-nil T20I series victory, the only positive for the Kiwis was Williamson. The right-hander notched up 160 runs in just three innings and even registered his highest score in the third T20I by smashing 95 runs.
While chasing a total of 180, Williamson was the lone wolf from the Kiwis' side and smashed 95 runs with the help of eight boundaries and six maximums. He may not have helped get Kiwis over the line but he managed to level the scores as the game went on to a thrilling super over.
72* (48) vs Pakistan, Hamilton, 2016
Against Pakistan in 2016 (X.com)
Before the T20 World Cup in India in 2016, New Zealand hosted a three-match T20I series for Pakistan. Pakistan's bowling line-up was nothing short of fire, having the likes of Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, and Shahid Afridi. While batting first, the visitors posted a decent total of 168 runs.
Williamson and Martin Guptill dismantled the bowling line-up of the Pakistan team and went on to win the game by 10 wickets with more than two overs remaining. Kane Williamson scored 72 off just 48 deliveries with the help of 11 boundaries.
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