ICC World Cup 2019 | Even Martin Crowe would acknowledge Kane Williamson is special, says Ian Smith
Former New Zealand player Ian Smith has opined that Kane Williamson is a special talent and even Martin Crowe would have acknowledged that. The New Zealand skipper has led the side from the front and steered them to the final of the ongoing showpiece event against England on Sunday.
Martin Crowe was one of the finest batsmen to have embraced the game of cricket. Ian Smith is of the opinion that had Crowe been alive, he would have definitely acknowledged Kane Williamson as the greatest batsman to have played for New Zealand. Williamson has churned out the tough runs in the ongoing tournament and has done exceptionally well to help his side sculpt a spot in the final.
“Kane is so highly ranked in the world, so it’s no surprise that he is seriously highly ranked in New Zealand too. Probably our best player and when you combine leadership with it, I think we can safely say so,” Smith told PTI.
“I was a great friend of Martin Crowe, a buddy of mine, who is no longer with us. I think even Martin would have acknowledged that Kane is pretty special, and it’s hard to deny that,” said Smith.
New Zealand created the biggest upset of the World Cup by beating India in the semi-final, who were red hot favourites for the showpiece event. New Zealand bowlers did an exceptional job in defending 239 and wreaked havoc with the new ball.
“I knew they could defend that total because that’s the way they fight and scrap it out. Once they got to 239, it was all about bowling well in the first 5-10 overs. Had Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli got away with it, it would have been all over,” Smith added.