Cricket: NZ skipper Kane Williamson smears Delhi to help set up win

Kane Williamson. Photo / Photosport

It took the Sunrisers Hyderabad six games to work out that Kane Williamson could be a real asset in their defence of the Indian Premier League title.

The New Zealand skipper spent the first five games on the sideline as Hyderabad relied on Australian David Warner and the likes of Indians Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh, and Australian allrounder Moises Henriques at the top of the batting order.

Perhaps Williamson, coming off a relentless home summer and completing his first full year as national captain, wasn't particularly concerned at sitting out a few games early on, trying to do a spot of refreshing.

Maybe coach Tom Moody simply fancied his alternatives, all of whom are more overtly aggressive batsmen.

But when he got his chance this morning, Williamson clattered the Delhi Daredevils attack to the tune of 89 off just 51 balls, with six fours and five sixes, as if to show he too can clear the fence, while working from a classy, technically sound base.

The result was a 136-run stand with Dhawan, who hit 70 off 50 balls and a 15-run win which keeps Hyderabad equal top with the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders.
After 16 balls, Williamson had made 13. Then he took off.

From the seventh to 15th overs, Williamson struck 65 off 31 balls at a strike rate of 210.

His innings strike rate was 174.5, easily his best in the IPL. He scored 72 percent of his runs on the leg side.

And should you be thinking Williamson has suddenly donned a technicolour coat and stepped away from the modus operandi which has put him among the very best batsmen across the three forms, think again.

Indian star spinner Ravi Ashwin tweeted his admiration for Williamson's innings.

Kane Williamson showing finesse and class still has a role in t 20's. Absolute STAR.🎉#IPL #SRHvDD

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 19, 2017

Williamson joined the Sunrisers in 2015 but has had lean pickings in terms of appearances, with just two that year, six last season, so today was his ninth match. But he made it count.

He won't do that every game but it should have opened the minds of the Sunrisers' management to what he can add to their title defence.

Only one team, the now-suspended Chennai Super Kings, have managed back-to-back titles, in 2010-2011.

With Indian swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar the leading wicket taker with 15 at just 9.1 apiece, the Sunrisers are travelling well, and Williamson might yet come to be seen as the final piece in their puzzle.

■ New Zealand seamer Tim Southee has picked up a deal with Middlesex for English cricket's domestic T20 competition.

Southee will join Middlesex in early July after the Champions Trophy in England, and is expected to be available for 13 of 14 games, and the playoffs if Middlesex make it.

He will form a triumvirate of New Zealanders there, with Brendon McCullum to captain Middlesex in the competition and Dan Vettori the coach.