Kane Williamson – Captain Fantastic and Mr Consistent at CWC19
One of the top batsmen in modern day cricket, the New Zealand skipper followed in the footsteps of former captains Martin Crowe and Brendon McCullum with his inspirational batting and leadership to guide New Zealand to their second successive World Cup final, and saw his team finish equal on scores even after the Super Over.
Apart from all his stylish batting, his inspirational captaincy – best signified by his understated and calm reaction after completing an 18-run victory over tournament favourites India in the first semi-final in Manchester – left a lasting impression. In a tournament featuring monumental performances by top players such as Shakib Al Hasan, Rohit Sharma and Mitchell Starc, the Tauranga-born cricketer was a class apart with the impact he had on his team's journey.
CWC19 SF: Kane Williamson – Quiet and reserved, but steely
Having registered scores of 67 and 85 in the two practice games in the lead-up to the tournament, Williamson continued to excel in the main event, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer with 578 runs from six outings at an impressive average of 82.57.
The No.8 ranked batsman in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Rankings began with scores of 40 and 79* in his first two outings with the bat in relatively easy run-chases against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Against South Africa, coming in to bat at 12/1 in a tricky run-chase of 242 in 49 overs in trying conditions at Edgbaston, Williamson showed a perfect blend of skills and match-awareness as he slowly started the repair job for his side. With 12 required off seven deliveries, the Black Caps skipper played a deft stroke to third man, reducing the target by four runs before shattering South Africa's semi-final hopes, unleashing a six and a four in the final over, while also bringing up his century.
CWC19: NZ v SA - Highlights of Kane Williamson's match-winning 106*
Another significant performance followed against West Indies, as he registered a second-straight his 13th ODI century after both the openers were dismissed for a first-ball duck. It turned out to be a match-winning one as New Zealand just managed to overcome Carlos Brathwaite's brilliance in a thrilling climax.
Such was New Zealand's heavy reliance on their skipper with the bat that Williamson scored almost 24% of the total runs scored by the team before their title clash against England at Lord's.
Kane Williamson: Leading from the front
Up against the league table-toppers India in the semi-finals, Williamson with his immense tactical acumen assessed the conditions to perfection, predicting 240 as a par-total in tough batting conditions. Having already produced the goods with the bat – a patient 67 – Williamson switched to an aggressive mode with his field placement, employing as many as four catching men in the opening Powerplay, a move appreciated even by his opposite number Virat Kohli after the game.
He made just 30 runs in the final, but he still finished with more runs than any captain has made at a World Cup. His aggressive bowling choices, especially in bowling his pacers for long spells to keep up the pressure, kept New Zealand in the game.
New Zealand lost by the slimmest of margins – by boundary count after the Super Over. But Williamson remained graceful in defeat as well, walking off to a standing ovation.