Cricket: Next Big Thing sets big goals

Kane Williamson says building self-belief through training helps get your head right for a game. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

When Kane Williamson kicked off his international career with back-to-back ducks, he could have been forgiven for wondering who he'd offended.

After all, the 20-year-old's entry to international cricket in Sri Lanka last month had been preceded for some time by the sound of loudly banging drums as he produced a heady season of performances for Northern Districts as they took two of the three domestic titles.

For some time he's been regarded as New Zealand cricket's Next Big Thing. Then, having been given his opportunity during the tri-series, with the hosts and India, it all went wonky.

He was bowled by a good "nut" first off against India, then drove at a half volley and was caught at slip against Sri Lanka.

"I walked off [after the second 0] and it was almost like a 'why me' feeling," he said.

"It was a dead-set half volley, the sort you might get in club cricket. I didn't lose any sleep over it but it was frustrating because I wanted to do well."

And naturally he got some gyp from his teammates, the rough-edged stuff a newcomer can expect.

"It was all in good humour," he recalled. "It wasn't something I was too down about because I certainly knew I wasn't that bad.

"You look at other players who have debuts and get an edge to third man and they're away. But it's just part of the game and often if you're worrying and try to work on things you get further away from the solution."

He got 13, and looked the part too for half an hour, in New Zealand's heavy loss against India which bumped them out of the competition. So it's a start, of sorts.

The next step in the cricket education of the Tauranga allrounder is the five ODIs in Bangladesh next month.

If he hazards a glance further down the line, there's a test and ODI tour of India in November-December, a visit from Pakistan in the New Year and the World Cup on the subcontinent in February-March as the plum on top of the season's pudding.

This could be the summer the young man on the rise takes decisive steps towards ensconcing himself in the national side in at least two of the three forms of international cricket.

Wise cricket heads have talked encouragingly of Williamson for the last couple of seasons. Essentially, he was one of those rare players rated uncommonly promising as distinct from your average, everyday one to watch.

His first-class debut was anything but. Playing Auckland on a bowling-friendly Eden Park in December 2007, Williamson made 2 and 0, lbw to Andre Adams both times, as the bustling Auckland allrounder completed match figures of 10 for 58 to set up an innings win.

Last season his T20 campaign was restricted to just three games for ND, but in the other versions he impressed.

There were 614 Plunket Shield runs at 47.23, and in ND's march to the one-day title, Williamson plundered 621 runs at 77.652. He made more than 100 runs more than the next best batsman in the competition, and nabbed 13 cheap wickets with his handy offspin.

His overall first-class average sits at 46.06; his one-day record is a strong 49.10.

But Williamson can't afford to get even remotely cosy just yet. Hard work lies ahead if, having got a toehold in the setup, he isn't to drop back to the pack.

"I do have goals. Obviously I want to be playing in the Black Caps in all the formats, and be successful. But my focus is a lot finer than that. The goals are the results of focusing really well.

"Everything you do in training is to help you feel organised. When you've hit the ball well and feel organised, you have a lot of belief.

"That's what it's all about, going out with a clear mind and playing the game on instinct."

If Williamson has a good trip to Bangladesh and goes to India, he won't be seen in ND's colours until the HRV Cup T20 in mid-December. It could be a fascinating summer if Williamson's youthful flourish transforms into a solid top drawer performance.