NZ's Williamson surpasses world's best

New Zealand's Kane Williamson has staked a claim as the world's best batsman with a classy 140 in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane.

His name is Kane.

And the Australian bowling attack is the latest to realise he is more than able.

In fact, New Zealand's Kane Williamson could lay claim to being the world's best batsman after his classy ton in the first Test at the Gabba on Saturday.

Not that the modest No.3 ever would.

Williamson stood tall as wickets fell around him to notch a masterful 140, propping up the Black Caps' 317 first innings total - still 239 behind the hosts.

"That's a hundred of the highest order," former Australian skipper Mark Taylor told the Nine Network of Williamson's five hour knock.

Few could argue after Williamson not only joined the game's elite with his 11th Test ton - he overtook them.

He now boasts a staggering 2801 international runs at 62.24 across all three formats this calendar year.

No one has scored more than the quietly spoken craftsman.

Yet Williamson typically tried to talk down his latest ton for a New Zealand side trailing Australia by 503 runs overall after day three.

"It was nice to have an innings out there and have some time in the middle," he said.

"But there is always more satisfaction if you are in a stronger position in terms of the game."

But it seems Williamson will be mentioned more often in the world No.1 argument thanks to his 12 month run spree.

His incredible haul across all formats since last November includes six tons.

Perhaps not surprisingly he is the first Kiwi to achieve the feat.

At least Australian opener David Warner was impressed.

"I may be biased but I think (he is ranked) behind Steve Smith and Joe Root (but) he's had a fantastic last 12 to 18 months," Warner said of Williamson.

"The way he played out there against three unbelievable quicks was fantastic.

"He's a definite world-class player. He's got a great career ahead of him."

Williamson appeared bound for greatness when he reportedly hit 40 tons for his school in Tauranga, south of Auckland.

And New Zealand legend Martin Crowe appeared to confirm it with his stunning pre-World Cup claim.

"We're seeing the dawn of probably our greatest ever batsman," Crowe told reporters in January.

Williamson became the fastest New Zealand batsman to 3000 Test runs, in 71 innings - two fewer than previous record-holder Crowe.

And Williamson's 140 on Saturday was the highest Gabba score by a Kiwi since Crowe's majestic 188 30 years ago - the last time New Zealand won a Test series Down Under.

In four previous innings against Australia, Williamson's highest Test score was 34.

Of his 11 tons, eight have been on foreign soil.


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3 min read

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Source: AAP



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