Test star Kane Williamson backs himself in T20s
Roseau (Dominica) – Batsman Kane Williamson was New Zealand's Rock of Gibraltar during the recent Test series against West Indies.
He patiently accumulated 413 runs in the three-Test rubber at an average of 82, also scoring two centuries - the last of which set up the 53-run victory in the decisive Test at Kensington Oval Monday, reports CMC.
However, the right-hander will now be asked to abandon that caution in exchange for flair and enterprise, as he anchors the Black Caps top order in the two-match Twenty20 series, the first one is played here Saturday.
"It's always a challenge and one you deal with quite a bit if you are fortunate enough to be involved in the different formats but you adapt your game like you do to different conditions and different teams," Williamson said.
"A change in format obviously means an up in tempo and you're training and preparation obviously goes according to those focuses."
Williamson has already played 17 Twenty20 Internationals, with a highest score of 51 off 35 balls against South Africa at the Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh in March.
He fared well in that tournament, also getting a patient 42 against Sri Lanka when he was the only one to get into double figures as the Black Caps were dismissed for 60.
Williamson, however, does not anticipate any such meltdowns this time. He admitted that it was easy for a player's motivation to wane as the end of a tour approached, but said there was still plenty of desire in the camp to end the tour strongly.
"It can be a challenge when you spend so much time away from home and you get closer to leaving, but the guys are all focused on these two T20s and they want to enjoy them and it would be great to come away with some wins," Williamson said.
"We are always backing ourselves. We know the West Indies are one of the best teams in the world, if not the best team in the world, at this format so we know it will be a good challenge.
"The nature of T20 cricket is quite inconsistent. The fast pace that it's played at and the high risk that is involved. We know we have to play with that freedom and use the skill we have got to come out and play."
The teams play the second game also here at Windsor Park Sunday.