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Kane Williamson is the best Test batsman in recent times

Aman said:
He looks pretty washed atm.

Should be given some time off and see if he still wants to play because he certainly doesn't look like he does when he gets out there to bat.

Seems depressed, idk if it's a tough series, burden, fatigue or if the WC Final is hanging over him.
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He will come back. Probably a slump or some specific weakness being exploited.
 
If someone is in form he is hyped to the hilt. If he hits a rough patch suddenly he is facing all kind of ridicule.
 
Who cares about that.century last year in UAE..that was a sarfraz led pakistan side,.so doesn't count. UAE 2014 century however was a good one
 
Seems as if Kane and Root are in the same A-Class now, with a number of batsmen banging on the door of that tier and meanwhile the S-Class is now occupied only by Smith and Kohli.
 
Idk if i have seen more overrated batsman than this guy. Truly useless and fails when ever teams need him.
 
Sam99 said:
Idk if i have seen more overrated batsman than this guy. Truly useless and fails when ever teams need him.
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His hype is what baffles me, he's a massive stat padder as well and never gets any scrutiny unlike Root, who bats on very batting friendly conditions in England, whereas NZ has been statistically the flattest last 5 years.
 
tyron_woodley said:
Kane is a cannon fodder amongst the top tier batsmen.

smith kohli almost equal. Slight edge to smithy but I believe kohli will trump him in the next series.

then big gap

root

pujara

babar

kane

yes pujara is better than Kane. get over it.
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Lol! Pujara is a tailender, who doesnt realise it and bats for hours at a snail rate.

Kane is TECHNICALLY the best batsman of his generation, but that doesnt necessary reflect on his individual achievements because he plays for a lower team and on much more competitive pitches.
 
Captain caveman said:
Lol! Pujara is a tailender, who doesnt realise it and bats for hours at a snail rate.

Kane is TECHNICALLY the best batsman of his generation, but that doesnt necessary reflect on his individual achievements because he plays for a lower team and on much more competitive pitches.
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NZ has competitive pitches? Is this a joke?
 
Captain caveman said:
Lol! Pujara is a tailender, who doesnt realise it and bats for hours at a snail rate.

Kane is TECHNICALLY the best batsman of his generation, but that doesnt necessary reflect on his individual achievements because he plays for a lower team and on much more competitive pitches.
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That technique means squat, he doesn't score runs against good bowlers away from home.
 
Sam99 said:
Idk if i have seen more overrated batsman than this guy. Truly useless and fails when ever teams need him.
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Moronic comment.

Kane has certainly been over hyped and has been pretty ordinary recent. However he has played some excellent innings which have won or saved games for New Zealand that can't be denied.
 
Aman said:
That technique means squat, he doesn't score runs against good bowlers away from home.
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Maybe temprament?
Technically his the best of his generation and the only batsman, i believe, that could have been successful in the 80s out of this generation.
 
Captain caveman said:
Lol! Pujara is a tailender, who doesnt realise it and bats for hours at a snail rate.

Kane is TECHNICALLY the best batsman of his generation, but that doesnt necessary reflect on his individual achievements because he plays for a lower team and on much more competitive pitches.
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pujara is better than root let alone Kane at the moment. He bats for hours means he has impregnable defense.
 
I think we can put this one to bed Kane is nowhere near Smith and Kohli, he is going to have a massive fall when the new rankings are released
 
Captain caveman said:
Maybe temprament?
Technically his the best of his generation and the only batsman, i believe, that could have been successful in the 80s out of this generation.
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Kane plays in competitive conditons lol? since when? Kane dint do squat vs australia. puji won the series for india vs australia. pujara defecates on Kane and pretty much every other batsmen not named smith, kohli and to an extent root.
 
tell babar azam is better than Kane already and he Is only 25.

babar is up there with pujara and root now.
 
tyron_woodley said:
tell babar azam is better than Kane already and he Is only 25.

babar is up there with pujara and root now.
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My opinion is kane is TECHNICALLY the best test batsman of his generation.
This is a generation of flat pitches and poor bowlers, which have made players like smith and kohli look like bradmans.
Kane has definely underachieved and he should be ashamed of that, wasting such talent, but he also does not seem obsessive like smith and kohli and now babar, who all have a sachin mentality of personal greatness and personal milestones.
True geniuses usually dont bother to proof themselves, as they know how good they are.
 
Captain caveman said:
Swing depends on air conditions and not the pitch.
Pakistan/uae have the flattest pitches in the world.
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I know, that's why I said swing disappears after first session and the pitches are the flattest in the world. Look at the batting average despite all the swing.
 
James said:
Seems as if Kane and Root are in the same A-Class now, with a number of batsmen banging on the door of that tier and meanwhile the S-Class is now occupied only by Smith and Kohli.
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Seems like.

The top batsman is supposed to have some presence which both Root and Williamson lack anyway even when they score runs.

Smith and Kohli surely have that, especially Kohli.

If all 4 of these batsmen are to score exactly 150 runs, most people would want it to be Kohli because he would do in a way thag will demoralise the opposition and make a statement.
 
Captain caveman said:
My opinion is kane is TECHNICALLY the best test batsman of his generation.
This is a generation of flat pitches and poor bowlers, which have made players like smith and kohli look like bradmans.
Kane has definely underachieved and he should be ashamed of that, wasting such talent, but he also does not seem obsessive like smith and kohli and now babar, who all have a sachin mentality of personal greatness and personal milestones.
True geniuses usually dont bother to proof themselves, as they know how good they are.
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lol what a load of crap. Bowlers at present are more skilful, adept at variations and are far fitter than ever before. Strength and conditioning of modern bowlers is far superior to any of the past era greats.

A good player is elite in any era though. There is no denying that a current modern great would be effective in any era and vice versa is true also where a past great could be top tier in the modern era with the advancement in technology, science and nutriton.

Do you even understand how difficult it is to be effective as a fast bowler in the modern era? Lots of them have excessive workloads that need to be managed. Flat pitches? lol what? 1990- 2010 was like the flattest of flat eras. we have seen scores of 800 plus in mid 2000 etc.

Some pitches are flat, some offer bounce and seam. surfaces have been quite diverse in tests cricket.

kohli and smith would be top tier in any era. you think A player with their mentality and skillset can't develop the tools needed to survive in the past era's lol? At the elite level the skill gap is very minimal. It's the mentality and the mind set that makes the difference.
 
tyron_woodley said:
lol what a load of crap. Bowlers at present are more skilful, adept at variations and are far fitter than ever before. Strength and conditioning of modern bowlers is far superior to any of the past era greats.

A good player is elite in any era though. There is no denying that a current modern great would be effective in any era and vice versa is true also where a past great could be top tier in the modern era with the advancement in technology, science and nutriton.

Do you even understand how difficult it is to be effective as a fast bowler in the modern era? Lots of them have excessive workloads that need to be managed. Flat pitches? lol what? 1990- 2010 was like the flattest of flat eras. we have seen scores of 800 plus in mid 2000 etc.

Some pitches are flat, some offer bounce and seam. surfaces have been quite diverse in tests cricket.

kohli and smith would be top tier in any era. you think A player with their mentality and skillset can't develop the tools needed to survive in the past era's lol? At the elite level the skill gap is very minimal. It's the mentality and the mind set that makes the difference.
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Smith and kohli would not been as successful as they are in the 80s.
Marshall
Holding
Bishop
Patterson
Ambrose
Walsh
Imran
Wasim
Waqar(debut nov 89)
Donald?
Hadlee
Botham
Willis
Etc
Kohli struggles against an old anderson lol!
 
Aman said:
Kane is great for NZ standards, but the hype is excessive. It's abundantly clear he's not a superstar player or a fraction of what the cricket media portray him as. We're never going to win anything meaningful with him, he's just not that guy and that's fine. As someone that has realized it after buying into the media hype, it hurts and all the hoopla is incredibly irritating.
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Not going to win significantly? He won you a test series against Pakistani in UAE by winning 2 matches coming from behind in first inning. I don't recall Kohli winning us an abroad series ever. He almost won you the world cup as well, had dharmasena not acted like a fool, wc wud have been kiwis.
 
happydavy said:
Not going to win significantly? He won you a test series against Pakistani in UAE by winning 2 matches coming from behind in first inning. I don't recall Kohli winning us an abroad series ever. He almost won you the world cup as well, had dharmasena not acted like a fool, wc wud have been kiwis.
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Pakistan threw the first match away and tbh beat Pakistan in the UAE isn't that massive. SL had beaten Pakistan earlier and that was a different Pakistan team which was in transition and missing YK and Misbah.

You can go on about decisions all you like but the WC is in England, we have nothing to show for it than all those "hearts of fans" which mean little consolation.
 
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So apparently Kane had 3 lives in his century against England on that road in Hamilton?..
 
Captain caveman said:
Smith and kohli would not been as successful as they are in the 80s.
Marshall
Holding
Bishop
Patterson
Ambrose
Walsh
Imran
Wasim
Waqar(debut nov 89)
Donald?
Hadlee
Botham
Willis
Etc
Kohli struggles against an old anderson lol!
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all those bowlers would have received phaintas in the modern era with bigger bats, advancement in technology, science and nutriton. it works both ways. Great players would find a way to adapt and perform in any era.

steyn alone is >>> than every bowler in that list lol. Don't forget team watch tapes and analyse in detail. Game planning is far advanced. Current bowlers are every bit as good as those past greats. Only a nostalgic idiot would keep berating the modern greats because they simply can't accept the fact that the game has advanced and their favourite players are no longer the only greats in the game.
 
tyron_woodley said:
all those bowlers would have received phaintas in the modern era with bigger bats, advancement in technology, science and nutriton. it works both ways. Great players would find a way to adapt and perform in any era.

steyn alone is >>> than every bowler in that list lol. Don't forget team watch tapes and analyse in detail. Game planning is far advanced. Current bowlers are every bit as good as those past greats. Only a nostalgic idiot would keep berating the modern greats because they simply can't accept the fact that the game has advanced and their favourite players are no longer the only greats in the game.
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Nearly all experts agree malcolm marshall is the greatest fast bowler of all time!
Theres no need to continue this debate, you obviously havent seen the guys from the 80s.
Goodbye to you sir!
 
Captain caveman said:
Nearly all experts agree malcolm marshall is the greatest fast bowler of all time!
Theres no need to continue this debate, you obviously havent seen the guys from the 80s.
Goodbye to you sir!
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2 bouncer rule
bigger massive bats
more protection for batsmen with gear
advancement in technology - tapes to watch.
detailed analysis
game planning
better strength and conditioning programs
sport specific training
better nutriton

I am sure Marshall would be figured out in the current era. Not saying he won't be good. Just like how steyn would be good in any era.
To say that kohli and smith won't be effective in past era's is blasphemy.

I am saying great players will learn and adapt to be good in any era. Smith and kohli are such greats.

Oh they also play more games now with a major emphasis on performing in all 3 formats. t20 and odi are as important as tests in the modern era unlike the past. If smith and kohli decided to focus purely on test cricket like the past greats then their average would be even higher.
 
In the world of John Cena and Roman Reigns, Kane Williamson is The Miz.
 
Don't worry, all it would take is 1 century for him to once again become better than Kohli for some posters.
 
Captain caveman said:
My opinion is kane is TECHNICALLY the best test batsman of his generation.
This is a generation of flat pitches and poor bowlers, which have made players like smith and kohli look like bradmans.
Kane has definely underachieved and he should be ashamed of that, wasting such talent, but he also does not seem obsessive like smith and kohli and now babar, who all have a sachin mentality of personal greatness and personal milestones.
True geniuses usually dont bother to proof themselves, as they know how good they are.
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Haha..what a load of **.

Kane is far below KOHLI and SMITH as a batsman both technically and mentally. His middling numbers against top nations are a proof of that.
 
Aman said:
He looks pretty washed atm.

Should be given some time off and see if he still wants to play because he certainly doesn't look like he does when he gets out there to bat.

Seems depressed, idk if it's a tough series, burden, fatigue or if the WC Final is hanging over him.
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He will come back, thats for sure. I wish though that he cuts down the amount of cricket he plays in particular T20s.
 
Don’t ever compare him with Kohli and Smith again. Some people bias will never change.
 
Williamson's last 11 international inning in Australia

32*
22
9
9
81
13
8
34
14
9
0

Last 13 away innings

28
12
8
8
27
30
0
4
20
34
9
0
 
Hitman said:
Don't worry, all it would take is 1 century for him to once again become better than Kohli for some posters.
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Some posters were saying after the World Cup that Williamson is better. Some posters hate for India is too much. Kohli vs Williamson is not even a debate anymore.
 
Captain caveman said:
My opinion is kane is TECHNICALLY the best test batsman of his generation.
This is a generation of flat pitches and poor bowlers, which have made players like smith and kohli look like bradmans.
Kane has definely underachieved and he should be ashamed of that, wasting such talent, but he also does not seem obsessive like smith and kohli and now babar, who all have a sachin mentality of personal greatness and personal milestones.
True geniuses usually dont bother to proof themselves, as they know how good they are.
Click to expand...

Are you sure he has the best technique even in that batting line up ? Got out for a duck getting leg before in previous innings. Kane is under the radar because he’s a nice guy and talks to fans on the boundary ropes. He is having a batting slump and I hope it stays that way till we finish our tour.
 
praveen said:
Are you sure he has the best technique even in that batting line up ? Got out for a duck getting leg before in previous innings. Kane is under the radar because he’s a nice guy and talks to fans on the boundary ropes. He is having a batting slump and I hope it stays that way till we finish our tour.
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Everyone talks about his technique but that means nothing, he never scores runs or dominates against the best which it takes to be considered the best.

He's more like Rahane or Shafiq than he is Kohli or Smith. Are supposedly techniquly strong but rarely perform against top teams/difficult conditions. The former are run machines and mentally a different level to the rest.
 
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Captain caveman said:
Smith and kohli would not been as successful as they are in the 80s.
Marshall
Holding
Bishop
Patterson
Ambrose
Walsh
Imran
Wasim
Waqar(debut nov 89)
Donald?
Hadlee
Botham
Willis
Etc
Kohli struggles against an old anderson lol!
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While I agree that that era had great bowlers, and batsmen from that era like Crowe, Border, Viv should be ranked higher accordingly Anderson as a pure swing bowler in English conditions is an ATG, and as good as any in that list. He is mediocre away from home , but at home he is a beast.
 
Aman said:
Everyone talks about his technique but that means nothing, he never scores runs or dominates against the best which it takes to be considered the best.

He's more like Rahane or Shafiq than he is Kohli or Smith. Are supposedly techniquly strong but rarely perform against top teams/difficult conditions. The former are run machines and mentally a different level to the rest.
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Agree. Technique counts for nothing if you can’t score runs with it. I’d still put him notches above rahane and shafiq. Rahane lost the plot but thankfully turned it around in 2019. Let’s see what Kane can do next year.
 
Aman said:
Everyone talks about his technique but that means nothing, he never scores runs or dominates against the best which it takes to be considered the best.

He's more like Rahane or Shafiq than he is Kohli or Smith. Are supposedly techniquly strong but rarely perform against top teams/difficult conditions. The former are run machines and mentally a different level to the rest.
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Agree, actually both Williamson & Root are very Rahanesque - technically sound but they dont dominate or intimidate the opposition. I guess its just their personalities! Even Babar has this unassuming air about him right now, hopefully in a couple of years he develops this dominating streak too which will intimidate the opposition - everyone loves to see a batsman breathe fire when he walks in!
 
dildilpak said:
Agree, actually both Williamson & Root are very Rahanesque - technically sound but they dont dominate or intimidate the opposition. I guess its just their personalities! Even Babar has this unassuming air about him right now, hopefully in a couple of years he develops this dominating streak too which will intimidate the opposition - everyone loves to see a batsman breathe fire when he walks in!
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Babar felt like that to me until the Australia tour. Since then he has reached another level. His innings sets up game more often than not these days.
 
dildilpak said:
Agree, actually both Williamson & Root are very Rahanesque - technically sound but they dont dominate or intimidate the opposition. I guess its just their personalities! Even Babar has this unassuming air about him right now, hopefully in a couple of years he develops this dominating streak too which will intimidate the opposition - everyone loves to see a batsman breathe fire when he walks in!
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Kane's strike rate is 51 in tests. Exactly the same as Younis khan and Mahela. In a way bit like them except Younis is more a clutch player.
 
praveen said:
Babar felt like that to me until the Australia tour. Since then he has reached another level. His innings sets up game more often than not these days.
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Yeah, Babar seems to be scoring his runs at a great clip these days. Means the bowlers aren't troubling him and he play his shots.

Which is impressive given how the Aussies have destroyed our batting line up, a weeks prior Babar was scoring runs with relative ease and dominating.
 
To answer the OP, there a few things in cricket worldwide that are set
Kohli is the best LO bat
Smith is the best test bat
Cummins is the best test bowler

Williamson’s overseas record is poor compared to smith, and Kohli as well

Plus Smith’s ATG series coming in at 2/20 every innings shows that he has no issues coming in early
 
therealAB said:
To answer the OP, there a few things in cricket worldwide that are set
Kohli is the best LO bat
Smith is the best test bat
Cummins is the best test bowler

Williamson’s overseas record is poor compared to smith, and Kohli as well

Plus Smith’s ATG series coming in at 2/20 every innings shows that he has no issues coming in early
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cummins is not better than bumrah
A fit bumrah is better than cummins in all formats.
 
tyron_woodley said:
cummins is not better than bumrah
A fit bumrah is better than cummins in all formats.
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No. Cummins is definitely better. More consistent, durable and dominant. Every series he plays he succeeds, and he has a high% of top order wickets and is amazing at getting the best batsman out.
Look at the ICC rankings. His class difference with all other test bowlers atm is obvious
 
therealAB said:
No. Cummins is definitely better. More consistent, durable and dominant. Every series he plays he succeeds, and he has a high% of top order wickets and is amazing at getting the best batsman out.
Look at the ICC rankings. His class difference with all other test bowlers atm is obvious
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no he isn't better in any format. Maybe to you?
bumrah at his best is the better bowler in all formats. ALL.

bumrah played with an injury in n.z.

we shall see what happens when bumrah plays against Australia.

Also cummins only looks good in australia cause of warner and Smith's superior batting technique in Australian conditions.
 
tyron_woodley said:
no he isn't better in any format. Maybe to you?
bumrah at his best is the better bowler in all formats. ALL.

bumrah played with an injury in n.z.

we shall see what happens when bumrah plays against Australia.

Also cummins only looks good in australia cause of warner and Smith's superior batting technique in Australian conditions.
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Why was cummins good vs the India series, far and away Aus' best bowlers, and succeeded in SA after they had left

How do you explain the iCC ranking. It is a good indicator of how a player it at a present point in time, and Cummins is far and away the best

You are definitely holding a minority view. Also, stop with the all formats comment, I agree that Bumrah is far better ODI< T20 so that is irrelevant.

Cummins' series in England when Australian batsmen were struggling was simply brilliant, and until Bumrah does something similar he cannot be considered in the same class
 
therealAB said:
Why was cummins good vs the India series, far and away Aus' best bowlers, and succeeded in SA after they had left

How do you explain the iCC ranking. It is a good indicator of how a player it at a present point in time, and Cummins is far and away the best

You are definitely holding a minority view. Also, stop with the all formats comment, I agree that Bumrah is far better ODI< T20 so that is irrelevant.

Cummins' series in England when Australian batsmen were struggling was simply brilliant, and until Bumrah does something similar he cannot be considered in the same class
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bumrah destroyed south africa when they had AB and that was his first awat series. Depends on the conditions. Bunrah is actually excellent in bouncy conditions. Better than cummins and I can guarantee he will be better in Asian conditions. Now we are left with England and new zeland.

cummins is better in swing friendly conditons, however bumrah did play quite well in england whilst coming back from an injury. Cummins and his bowling partners let stokes draw the ashes series with a lead of over 300 in the second innings.

Bumrah played with an injury in n.z post stress fracture surgery. Let's see what bumrah shows up vs australia this year. If bunrah is anywhere near the same bumrah pre new zeland series then australia will feel the heat.
 
Happy Birthday to the man who won more hearts after the World Cup final 2019 than the best batsmen of World Cup winning team.
 
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