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'Under No Illusions' - Kane Williamson Not Ready To Take SA Lightly In Test Series

image-ls30k3q4Kane Williamson [X.com]

Recovered from the hamstring injury sustained during the T20Is against Pakistan, Kane Williamson set his eyes on New Zealand's next challenge - a pair of World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures against South Africa, starting February 4. The Kiwi batting stalwart spoke of how Proteas pose a stiff challenge regardless of their squad strength for the assignment ahead. 

Williamson's remarks came after South Africa's shocking decision to send a heavily understrength playing contingent to New Zealand for the two Tests, missing a plethora of Test regulars who will instead continue plying their trade in the second edition of the SA20 League at home. 

The selection and preference given to their cash-cow T20 league laid bare Proteas' priorities in dealing with compromised finances while also reinforcing the persistent threat faced by Test match cricket in a calendar dominated by domestic franchise-based leagues across the globe. 

Williamson Wary Of Proteas Threat 

Kane Williamson, however, refused to budge on those lines and maintained focus on New Zealand trying to defeat an opposition they haven't won over at home and away since Proteas' return to cricket post-apartheid in 1991-92. The former skipper said Tim Southee-led side will be under "no illusions" that the contest will be hard and require their best display in the middle.

"For us, we just want to focus on the cricket that we want to play and the plans that we have and that doesn't change from opposition to opposition," Williamson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 


"There are adjustments within the conditions etc, but there are a number of players in the South African side that members of our team are quite certainly familiar with playing county cricket and these things."


"So we are under no illusions that it is going to be a tough contest for sure. They are all very good players and we just want to keep bringing the focus back to our cricket," he added. 

Besides history, New Zealand are chasing crucial Test championship points. Placed third in the table behind the Proteas after a 1-1 draw in Bangladesh, the BlackCaps stand a chance to pip them over to the second slot.