A SHEEPISH smile, a wave of hand to say sorry, and a genuine concern for the batsman... Kane Williamson was a picture of remorse after sending down an unintended beamer. He was not a regular bowler, yet, on his captain’s call had given a go for one over. The response to his accidental mistake summed up the Kiwi who remained a gentleman till the last ball he faced in his glorious international career. Like his career with no frills and always under the radar, Williamson’s exit, too, has come silently. However, the rich cricketing legacy he has left will not remain silent till the game is played. The former New Zealand captain has exited international cricket with the highest batting average, most runs, and most centuries in Test cricket by a New Zealand batsman.

 

These numbers reserve his place among the greats from the Trans-Tasman region. Even though he will never accept the status of a Kiwi great by sidestepping the question and self-deprecating replies, Williamson will always be remembered by the entire cricketing world as the man who carried New Zealand’s batting burden with elegance and tenacity. The tiny country has been a potent force in all formats of the game over last many decades. It has its share of cricketing greats who stood shoulder-to-shoulder to their counterparts from other cricket-playing nations. Men like Lance Cairns, Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe and Stephen Fleming had a lasting impact on the game and its followers. Compared to their glow, Williamson was always shy of the spotlight he deserved. But then, it was his style and characteristic and he stayed loyal to it even during moments of extreme tension, joy and also heartbreaks like the 2019 World Cup final. Williamson’s retirement might not look as a major development for cricket lovers.

 

Though it was on cards after several hints thrown by the batsman, his exit has taken a genuine fighter and a nice guy from the stage. There will always be a lasting image of the bearded right-hander coming to crease with no crease on his forehead. He would just go on with his regular duty as the backbone of Kiwi innings. Some of his knocks rank much above the flamboyant exhibition of strokes made by other batters for the steel he showed against some fierce attacks. He would not play the bowler or the pitch, but only the situation. The tenacious 140 at the Gabba in 2015 was the prime example of how Williamson would go about his job. It was a tremendous innings where the Kiwi made swift changes mid-way through the game to his technique to combat the unique bowling plan hatched by the Aussies. He not only kept New Zealand alive in the match but also gave a major account of his class that is reserved for only a few champion batsmen. Williamson’s exit from the arena makes the game poorer as not much from his breed are left in the game. Modern-day cricket has brought a different style and technique and a derring-do which makes attack as the first line of defence. Kane Williamson had all these qualities needed for all formats but he had a classic approach which made him class apart.