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 may just be the world’s best batsman after his classy ton in the first Test at the Gabba on Saturday.
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 the five-hour knock.
Few could argue after Williamson not only joined the game’s elite with his 11th Test ton – he overtook them.
The modest Kiwi No.3 now boasts a staggering 2801 international runs at 62.24 across all three formats for New Zealand this calendar year.
No one has scored more than the quietly spoken craftsman.
Nearest rivals are the usual suspects in the “world’s best” debate – Australian captain Steve Smith (2707), England’s Joe Root (2301) and South African master blaster AB de Villiers (1997).
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.
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 score 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.
And his centuries have come against eight different countries.
Zimbabwe is now the only Test nation Williamson has not scored a hundred against.
But the stage was set for more Williamson heroics in Brisbane after he was joined at the crease by gritty keeper BJ Watling.
Their pair resumed on day three on Saturday with New Zealand 5-157 – eerily similar to the 5-159 scoreline from which they launched a world record sixth wicket Test stand this year.
Williamson (242 not out) and Watling (142 not out) struck an unbeaten 365-run stand to set up an unlikely Basin Reserve Test win over Sri Lanka in January.
Unfortunately for Kiwi fans, Williamson and Watling could not repeat the feat in Brisbane.
They steadied the ship after New Zealand lost 4-16 to be reduced to 5-118 before Watling fell for 32 on Saturday, ending their 67-run stand.
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