Great article as usual! Was just telling a friend yesterday that I was waiting for an article from you about Kane's retirement.
But wow last ball win vs SL robbed tbh. Also tbf, Kane was always a really really good T20 batter at his prime. You don't top score in an IPL season and lead your team to a final if you aren't. Game just went past him a little bit in the latter half of his career.
Something unique about Kane Williamson, which will probably never happen again, everyone knows he has no haters, but he is arguably even more popular around the world than he is in his home country. In a short list of universally popular athletes among both peers and fans.
Williamson anecdote I heard when speaking cricket with a Kiwi in London a year and a half ago, said he had played an under-16s school semi final against Williamson, everyone knew who he was, he hit a chance to mid off on 10, dropped and he made 160.
HOWEVER (and I may be the only one who thinks this) is it not just a bit odd that he’s retiring mid-series?
I know Kane is not one for fanfare, and that is to be respected. But I can’t understand the rationale of retiring in the middle of an overseas series. Why not play two more tests, try to win the series, and then pull the pin? And save someone else having to be called up at super-short notice.
(Of course it’s his call and he doesn’t need to ask anyone’s permission!)
Great article as usual! Was just telling a friend yesterday that I was waiting for an article from you about Kane's retirement.
But wow last ball win vs SL robbed tbh. Also tbf, Kane was always a really really good T20 batter at his prime. You don't top score in an IPL season and lead your team to a final if you aren't. Game just went past him a little bit in the latter half of his career.
Something unique about Kane Williamson, which will probably never happen again, everyone knows he has no haters, but he is arguably even more popular around the world than he is in his home country. In a short list of universally popular athletes among both peers and fans.
Williamson anecdote I heard when speaking cricket with a Kiwi in London a year and a half ago, said he had played an under-16s school semi final against Williamson, everyone knew who he was, he hit a chance to mid off on 10, dropped and he made 160.
Another terrific piece, many wonderful memories of Kane mentioned. That 6 of Pat Cummins was a cold as ice.
Great read, and worthy of the man himself.
HOWEVER (and I may be the only one who thinks this) is it not just a bit odd that he’s retiring mid-series?
I know Kane is not one for fanfare, and that is to be respected. But I can’t understand the rationale of retiring in the middle of an overseas series. Why not play two more tests, try to win the series, and then pull the pin? And save someone else having to be called up at super-short notice.
(Of course it’s his call and he doesn’t need to ask anyone’s permission!)