Kane Williamson Lauds Team Effort After New Zealand Defeat West Indies In The First Test

New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson has ascribed the performances by each individual in their victory over the West Indies in the first Test match in Hamilton. The Black Caps defeated Jason Holder’s side by a massive margin of an innings and 134 runs.

On what looked a green and bowling-friendly surface, Jason Holder decided to field first. The move backfired horribly as Kane Williamson struck his career-best 251 over the course of two days. He was supported by Tom Latham’s 86 and Kyle Jamieson’s 51 as the hosts put on a colossal score of 519.

West Indies were bundled out for 138 in their first innings conceding the follow-on. The visitors bettered their performance in the second innings to reach the score of 247 courtesy of an attacking hundred from Jermaine Blackwood. Tim Southee took 4 wickets in the first innings, and so did Neil Wagner in the second innings.

It was really challenging technically and mentally: Kane Williamson

After the victory, Kane Willaimson opined that it was challenging to bat against a good West Indies bowling attack. However, he and the opener, Tom Latham got their eye in and capitalized on the start. After a successful IPL with the bat, the right-hander is happy to spend some time playing Test cricket.

As quoted by India Today, Kane Williamson said, “It was nice to spend some time out in the middle and build partnerships. It was going past the bat, fortunate for me. It was nice to get a first innings total like that and it’s nice to contribute in that way. It was really challenging technically and mentally. Nice to spend some time and get through that tough period, that’s Test cricket. Tom Latham was outstanding at the top.”

The 30-year-old pointed out that every batsman played some balls and didn’t let the visitors’ bowlers get on top of them. Williamson acknowledged that the ball was moving and it was not easy to bat.

The skipper then praised the bowling effort to dismiss the West Indies twice. He thought that the bowlers did a great job by picking wickets when the pitch has flattened out and there wasn’t much help for the pacers. The second Test match is scheduled for 11th December in Wellington.

“Throughout the batting order, we had valuable contributions. Every guy that came got starts but faced 50-60 balls. It was a really nice contribution. Great that the guys stuck. When the ball is moving around, you sometimes get ahead of yourself.

Full credit to the bowling attack, it started to flatten out, a really good all-round effort. It’s important to take the learnings and looking forward to the next Test,” Kane Williamson said.

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