That Williamson / Watling Partnership
11Well, well; déjà vu all over again. Another extraordinary fourth day at the Basin Reserve, not unlike that other one from February 2014. Here are some of the statistical highlights.
The sixth wicket stand was 365*. This is a world record stand for that wicket by all countries beating the previous wicket of 352 set by New Zealand at the Basin Reserve, and also involving BJ Watling.
New Zealand have now put on 45 partnerships of 100+ in Tests at the Basin Reserve. 10 of those have been for the 6th wicket
It was Watling’s third 200+ partnership for the sixth wicket in the last 12 moonths.
There have now been five NZ double centurions at the Basin Reserve. Crowe, McCullum, Williamson, Sinclair & Vincent. Three of those five have been against Sri Lanka.
Williamson became the 14th New Zealander to score a double century in a test.
He also became the youngest New Zealander to bring up 3000 test runs. By over two years type younger.
Both Watling and Williamson posted their highest test scores. Watling passing his previous best made in a certain partnership at the same ground last year. Williamson beat his previous, which he made a couple of tests ago.
Watling is now only person currently to share the top two partnerships for any wicket.
Three of the top five 2nd innings partnerships for any wicket have been made by NZ at the Basin. And there are some pretty gamous partnerships in that list
The two longest (by balls) second innings partnerships for any wicket now involve BJ Watling
Watling now has four test centuries. That is one more than Coney, Ken Rutherford, JJ Crowe, Greatbatch and current selection convener Bruce Edgar.
And Watling now averages 62 at the Basin scoring 434 runs in 8 innings.
Not leaving Kane out, average at Basin a healthy 85.5, 684 runs in 11 innings.
Reckon that photo will grow in significance in years to come.
As in a kind of handing over the baton?
Hadn’t thought of it like that, but that’s a good call
Here’s hoping. Despite their dissimilarities, they remind me of each other too.
More than anything, I think the best bit is that he has equal number of centuries as Stephen Fleming in about 1/3 the number of tests.
Note the way Williamson executes those front-foot drives through mid-wicket and mid-on. His technique is exquisite, a real thing of beauty. Look at the bible of all coaching manuals, The Art of Cricket, written by the greatest-ever, Sir Don B, and you will see that the way Williamson plays those shots is like a pose from that book . The early view of the ball, hitting posture and follow-through is reminiscent of Tendulkar working through the onside, too.
I said to a friend five years ago that Williamson had the game to become not just a Kiwi all-time great, but possibly even a World one…
“I said to a friend five years ago that Williamson had the game to become not just a Kiwi all-time great, but possibly even a World one…”
Prove it….
Oh, come on…I’ll just go back to that afternoon of sports viewing with a mate or wherever I in fact happened to be and dig out the transcript of every conversation I ever had around that time! Chill out…crikey. Was just saying. Don’t expect anyone to believe I’m some kind of soothsayer or anything!!
Would be pretty rare to score a double century and have your team lose the test by a margin of almost two hundred runs…
Paulthespotter said :
I said to a friend five years ago that Williamson had the game to become not just a Kiwi all-time great, but possibly even a World one…
signman said :
Agreed spotter, I could see the bloke had the ability too, doesn’t matter what sport it is you can see when a young player has the skills and composure that goes with becoming a top sportsman… diff between the great batsmen and the good ones is that the great players footwork to get to the pitch of the ball or in line with it and being able to play the ball as late as possible & Williamson definitely has those qualities, Martin Crowe was a great example, always looked like he had plenty of time to play his shots & because he was such a stylish player was excellent to watch.
Very sad news about Martin Crowe, wasn’t expected to see the new year, but being the fighter that we know he’s still here.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/64733215/johnstone-crowe-at-peace-but-typically-strongwilled