Cricket: Kane Williamson downplays starring role with the bat

Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson in action on day three of the Second Test match against Sri Lanka at Seddon Park. Photo/Getty.

Kane Williamson has politely patted praise for his man-of-the-match winning innings against Sri Lanka back down the wicket, but offered a succinct assessment as to why he was so successful.

The world's new No 1 test batsman scored 108 not out in New Zealand's five-wicket win which stretched their unbeaten record at home to 13 tests. The last loss was to South Africa in March 2012.

The innings was Williamson's 13th test century, and in doing so he recorded the most test runs (1172) and centuries (5) by a New Zealander in calendar year. His average sits at 49.93.

As has become custom, Williamson rated this knock among his best because it helped the team win.

"It means more when you spend some time in the middle and make a larger contribution to a team performance.

"The wicket wasn't easy to bat on. It was extremely important we formulated partnerships along the way. It wasn't the biggest chase but it seemed some distance away because both teams came up with sound bowling plans on what was a good wicket. Smart plans from both sides meant it was challenging."

The No 3 said he tried to rule out the hook and pull from his stroke repertoire after falling to a mistimed legside swipe in the first innings.

"Going from Dunedin, where everyone played them [the hook and pull] pretty well, to here, I think in the first innings we didn't adapt to the change and the bounce. It was a bit variable; some stood up and some kissed through quickly and steeply to make it more difficult.

"I wanted to take in a sound game plan to stick to. That meant initially going under the ball when it was hard and, as it got softer and when the bowlers had a few overs under the belt, I'd look to play it a bit more. It was important to stick to that game plan and not get carried away with the shot.

"All the guys like to play those shots, but on some surfaces it's important you try to select the right one. I was a victim of that in the first innings, having played the pull shot a lot in previous games and thinking I could go out and do that again. I wanted to make sure I was sounder in my decision-making."

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews was impressed with the match's pivotal innings.

"It was brilliant, controlled aggression. He's up there when it comes to the top 10 batters [in the world]. He's been having a great run for New Zealand. We just couldn't get him."

Williamson said the test posed a different mindset with the short-pitched bowling strategies.

"Usually it's about setting guys up with the bumper and bringing it into the fourth and fifth stump where the ball might do a bit, which is the business area for a bowler, but because of the nature of the surface both teams applied pretty similar tactics."

Williamson said a niggly right knee, which was bound in strapping tape and caused him to hobble at stages yesterday, should be fine to contest the upcoming one-dayers.

"Hopefully it settles quickly on its own."

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