The Graduates – Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson captained New Zealand in the 2008 tournament in a team featuring his future new-ball attack in the Black Caps’ senior side, Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

He led the New Zealanders to the semi-final in Malaysia, where they were beaten by an India side captained by Virat Kohli, who scored 43 and took two wickets in the match.

“It is a great stepping stone," Williamson tells ICC. “Playing international cricket within your age group allows players to see slightly higher standards, the best of the best from the under 19 perspective, so a great tournament to be involved in.

“It is always fascinating as well that a number of guys you play against and play with, to see their progress. Often, when you meet players, you talk about the Under 19 World Cup. Each team had a few guys who are playing international cricket, which is good.

“You don’t get many opportunities to play World Cups, obviously at the top level – it is once every four years, if you are fortunate enough to be involved. So the opportunity to play at the age-group level is a very exciting opportunity and one that should be enjoyed.”

Kohli says Williamson was clearly a future star at under 19 level. “I remember playing against Kane. He was someone who always stood out in the team, his batting ability was very different from the other players who were around.”

Williamson, who has since led his country in the ICC World T20 and the ICC Champions Trophy, is ranked in the top 10 batsmen in the world in all three formats and recently took New Zealand back to No.1 i the ICC T20I Team Rankings.

The ICC U19 CWC in New Zealand gets underway on Saturday 13 January