Kane Williamson's innings in the third Test against Pakistan in UAE - One of the best ever?

[happydavy]

NZ is a small country and hence NZ cricketers don't get the same amount of media as Asian cricketers do. Imagine if Kohli had played an inning like this against SA or Eng, then the entire cricket media would have gone berzerk and declared him as better than Bradman.

Kane's inning unfortunately won't get the same hype but if the wisdon 2001 list of top 10 innings were to be refreshed today, then I feel Kane's inning certainly deserves a place in top 10 and you need a very compelling reason to not have it as one of the top 3, because of the top 10 innings, only Azhar Mahmood's inning was in abroad conditions and it was also in the first inning. Rest all are in home conditions.

Kane's is the only inning which was abroad and it was when his team was facing first inning deficit and was already 4 down when still in deficit. And look at the impact of the inning, they won the away series against Pakistan after 49 years.

Whichever you ook at it, this inning is one of the best ever and deserves much more recognization than it is getting.

 

[Varun]

Indeed.

In NZ terms, this is right up there with Ross Taylor's match winning 130 + 70-odd in the 2nd innings as captain in Sri Lanka in 2012. Back when Sri Lanka were good - Sangakkara et al.

In hindsight it was revealed that the coach didn't like him and he was under tremendous pressure at the time, so extra kudos for that effort. He was unfortunately booted out of the job regardless and McCullum took over, and the rest is history.

 

[Muhammad10]

It was undoubtedly a brilliant knock, but you might be overdoing it a tad. Nicholls also played a gem of a knock (126*), so the pitch was clearly manageable. Our spinners had gone a little flat and were struggling to make an impact while bowling marathon spells.

 

[Hasan123]

The best I have seen in the UAE. Will finish his career as one of the greatest technicians to play this wonderful game. Take a bow Will .

 

[TeymurBlake]

It was brilliant. A magnificent test match for the Kiwis but more importantly Kane Williamson a quality, tough and focused knock.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Greatest knock played in UAE test by any batsman.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

His innings in first innings was great too.

He was highest scorer in 1st innings of 1st match too which in the end was the deciding factor in NZ winning.

Basically NZ won the series mainly because of him.

Best test batsman in the world!

 

[jaf348]

His second best knock after his 242* in the third innings against Sri Lanka. NZ were effectively 24-5 when he put on that mammoth partnership with Watling.

 

[Hitman]

Simply fabulous innings. One of the very best in a long time.

 

[Savak]

It was undoubtedly a brilliant knock, but you might be overdoing it a tad. Nicholls also played a gem of a knock (126*), so the pitch was clearly manageable. Our spinners had gone a little flat and were struggling to make an impact while bowling marathon spells.

Question marks have to be asked as to why did Sarfaraz not utilize Hafeez and Harris Sohail with the ball more. They are there to give a part time option and to provide rest to the other bowlers to prevent burnout.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Yes. Definitely an ATG knock. Best innings I have seen in UAE conditions.

 

[Muhammad10]

Question marks have to be asked as to why did Sarfaraz not utilize Hafeez and Harris Sohail with the ball more. They are there to give a part time option and to provide rest to the other bowlers to prevent burnout.

Agreed, he seemed to lose the plot and go through the motions to a large extent. Unacceptable, particularly at such a critical stage of an all-important series decider.

 

[barah_admi]

I have long held the opinion and I am sure you have all read it on here a few times, that Williamson is the best test bat of the fab four. He goes in at 3, does not shy away from responsibility and more often than not, produces top quality innings while the rest of the side is under pressure.

To do it again, against Pakistan who had largely dominated the first test, albeit losing, then annihilated in the second test, while the likes of Shah and Ashraf were operating at their best, is remarkable.

It is not the best century seen this year, that honour belongs to Khawaja, but it is certainly up there.