Cricket: Clear head offers a chance to shine

Kane Williamson says learning to relax has helped him make the right decisions at the wicket. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

In the music world it's known as the difficult second album, when a genius debut is more often than not followed up by an underwhelming effort.

In cricket, batsmen are often faced with a difficult second season, when the runs become harder to eke out as bowlers become more attuned to their strengths and weaknesses.

Kane Williamson seemed to be going through those growing pains, even if they caught up with him a year later than most.

The 19-year-old, who played one first-class match in the 2007-08 season, sprang back into life in round six of the national one-day competition, stroking an unbeaten 108 as Northern Districts easily accounted for Wellington.

It has been a while coming for Williamson, picked by many as a chance to make his international debut this summer.

Instead he endured two difficult winter tours with New Zealand A and the Emerging Players and that was still playing on his mind as his domestic summer got under way. In five first-class games since the end of last summer he has averaged just 10.8.

The story could not be any different in List A one-day matches where he is averaging 103, compiling two centuries and a 50 in six innings.

"The start of the four-dayers didn't go to plan," said Williamson. "The winter tours didn't go well and I had things to work on following those.

"When you're taking too many thoughts with you to the crease you tend to forget to watch the ball. I've now learnt that the most important thing is to relax and have a clear mind. Then you start to make the right decisions."

Northern need to win today and on Tuesday against Auckland to have any chance of forcing their way into the top two and guaranteeing themselves a life in the playoffs.

A win by Auckland on home turf tomorrow against Canterbury will guarantee themselves two lives going into the playoffs. They welcome back import Ravi Bopara and Gareth Hopkins, who was on fielding duty for New Zealand against Bangladesh.

Wellington meet Otago at the Basin Reserve tomorrow. Otago, who are out of the reckoning, welcome back Aaron Redmond from an injury layoff.

Wellington will have to finish win-win and have other results go their way to have a chance of qualifying.

Points: Auckland 22, Central Districts 17, Canterbury 13, Northern Districts 13, Wellington 8, Otago 4.

AUCKLAND V CANTERBURY

Colin Maiden Park, 11am today

Auckland

(from) Gareth Hopkins (c), Michael Bates, Ravi Bopara, Colin de Grandhomme, Roneel Hira, Anaru Kitchen, Tim McIntosh, James Neesham, Lance Shaw, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent, Reece Young.

Canterbury

Peter Fulton (c), Shane Bond, Dean Brownlie, Carl Frauenstein, Chris Harris, Chris Martin, Johann Myburgh, Rob Nicol, Michael Papps, Shanan Stewart, Logan van Beek, Kruger van Wyk.

ND v CD

Cobham Oval, Whangarei, 11am today

Northern Districts

James Marshall (c), Graeme Aldridge, Brent Arnel, Anton Devcich, Daniel Flynn, Peter McGlashan, Bruce Martin, Michael Parlane, Bradley Scott, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Joseph Yovich.

Central Districts

Jamie How (c), Brendon Diamanti, Bevan Griggs, Michael Mason, Graham Napier, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Brad Patton, Seth Rance, Mathew Sinclair, Ewen Thompson, Tim Weston, George Worker.