Kane Williamson of New Zealand lifts the ICC World Test Championship Mace with teammates after victory. Photo / Getty Images
Kane Williamson's Bay of Plenty-based parents and two former coaches have lauded New Zealand's historic win in this morning's World Test Championship final in Southampton.
The Black Caps produced a stunning sixth and final day to beat India by eight wickets with captain Williamson leading the team with an unbeaten half century.
Tauranga Boys' College's Neil Howard coached Williamson in the First XI 15 years ago and said the school was proud to "see our boy do his thing".
"For them to even get to this game is just an incredible achievement. Then for them to go through six days of having to battle through weather is just epic, really," Howard said.
Significant dates! ✍🏽 #WTC21 #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/kjwxzqfOTX
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 23, 2021
"I think it's one of New Zealand's great sporting achievements in any code; we just beat a country that's got a population of excess of one billion people."
Howard said all those at the school who ever worked with Williamson would agree he would "be super proud of the team first" and push his efforts to the back burner.
"But I hope he will have a deep sense of satisfaction that the vision, of creating a team our whole country is proud of, has come to fruition."
He said Williamson had a strong work ethic which rubbed off on to other players and was just an all-around good person - traits he'd maintained since his high school cricket days.
Howard said a commentator had said "nice guys sometimes finish first" and said this summed up Williamson.
Charles Williams, who coached Williamson alongside Howard, said the school had an award called the Kane Williamson Shield.
"Most people would think it's for the best player, but it's for the guy who every single training session is doing little things to help out ... just being a really good person.
"That sums up Kane, we use that as an example of the way he plays and conducts himself as to how our boys should be - not just good cricketers, but good people."
Williamson's Mount Maunganui-based parents Brett and Sandra said they were "absolutely thrilled" with the win.
"This is just a combination of three or four years of really hard work," Brett said. "It is absolutely huge".
"From a parent's point of you, you can see the commitment that all the players make and the work they put in."
Asked whether he stayed up and watched the whole game, Williamson senior said they ended up going to bed as they weren't sure whether they wanted to watch it; especially with memories of Lords 2019 in the back of his and wife Sandra's minds.
"Last night we went to bed not sure whether we wanted to watch it as three results were still on the cards and memories of Lords of 2019 started to flood back, so we were just hoping and praying that something positive would come out of this.
"It was pretty sleepless. In the end, I checked my phone and I saw all the texts that said 'you better get up and watch this', and that was about 4.30am.
"It's very exciting and we're ecstatic for Kane and the team, it's absolutely fantastic."
Brett hadn't yet spoken to his son, but thought the whole team would be buzzing.
He said they had very little contact with Williamson in the days leading up to the match.
"We tend to leave him alone, he is a very busy boy".
Brett was particularly proud four of the team's players were from Tauranga - Colin de Grandhomme, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult and Kane Williamson.
"It is really important to our Bay of Plenty cricket and sporting fraternity. Sandra and I are very thrilled with what they have achieved."
The first thing Otūmoetai College principal Russell Gordon did when he woke up this morning was check the New Zealand Herald to see if the Black Caps had won.
His first thought "how fantastic for our country" shortly followed by a thought about former student Trent Boult.
Gordon said the win, from their school's perspective, was something extra-special.
"To be able to talk to students and say that someone just like you who sat where you sat is now world champion ... Kids from school can do great things on the world stage."
Gordon said Boult's success in his passion, cricket, had a strong message for students.
"It doesn't matter who you are and what school you go to; follow your passion, and who knows where it will take you ... the sky is the limit."
Bay Oval general manager Kelvin Jones said he watched the first session and the winning rounds this morning.
"It was incredible. I was a bit gobsmacked to wake up to the team just about to win."
Jones said it was a different feeling to the nail-biting super over in the 2019 Cricket World Cup when England took the final glory in a heartbreaking end for the Black Caps.
"This one has been over two years. It's been such a long path to get there," he said.
"It's one of the biggest sporting achievements we've ever had. It's got to be up there, arguably more than a Rugby World Cup."
The Bay Oval community had often witnessed local players, including Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme, training on the Mount Maunganui cricket ground, Jones said.
"They are almost part of our family and we've been a very small part in their journey.
"You know what amazing people they are and to watch how they work and the commitment they make they really deserve the success they have had."
Jones said the Black Caps' success had certainly helped lift the profile of the game.
"Kids have got some of the world's best to look up to.
"You had to be a strong person to be a New Zealand cricket supporter in the past but not now. These guys are the best in the world.
"It needs to be recognised."
That’s simply one of the most incredible moments in NZ sport. #WTCFinal
— Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) June 23, 2021
NEW ZEALAND ARE THE INAUGURAL ICC WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 🎉#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ | @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/HMIaYI32Az
— ICC (@ICC) June 23, 2021
THE @BLACKCAPS ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!! pic.twitter.com/vvBNs9mMCi
— The ACC (@TheACCnz) June 23, 2021
So proud of this group of men. 5 years ago this result would have been unimaginable. Enjoy tonight lads! @blackcaps
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) June 23, 2021
That’s simply one of the most incredible moments in NZ sport. #WTCFinal
— Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) June 23, 2021
Class act Kane Williamson … !! 👍
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 23, 2021
No words, 2 greats #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/fBd6wEgWdp
— Alex Chapman (@AlexChapmanNZ) June 23, 2021
The greatest day in NZ cricket history. So stoked for our world champion @BLACKCAPS.🏆 Kane & @RossLTaylor bringing it home was fitting. Great idea having a 6th day. Whoever thought of that, give them a pay rise. And Kyle Jamieson receiving man of the match barefoot. 😍
— James McOnie (@JamesMcOnie) June 23, 2021
I can’t believe it! Absolute scenes! WORLD CHAMPIONS!
— Ben Hurley (@benhurleycom) June 23, 2021
The 22-year-old's selection is about so much more than just statistics.