C365 Player of the Week: Kane Williamson

You know how there was always that one kid at school who could do everything, play every sport, be a nice person, and look good doing it? South Africa has AB de Villiers as that kid, while New Zealand has Kane Williamson.

Granted, he can’t keep his elbow flexed to the legal limit when bowling his offies, and isn’t quite as scruffy-adorable when growing a beard compared to AB, but Williamson gets our coveted prize this week anyway, for two reasons.

Firstly, he recorded the first century of the Champions League T20, against the Cobras, scoring 101 not out off just 49 balls. He’s the tournament’s top run-getter by nearly 100 runs, with two half tons coming in the qualifying stage.

The Knights were not expected to reach the group stage, they didn’t even have a sponsor on their bright pink kit, but Williamson’s efforts propelled them forwards, knocking Mumbai out, and then got them off to a winning group start.

Secondly, he was banned for chucking earlier this year, but he’s not given up. Instead, like one of those annoying people who take up squash and the next month knock you out of the first team and then reach the provincial side a week later (not that we’re bitter), he changed tactics.

He used to bowl with his right arm before he was banned, but he’s just so darn talented that he’s apparently been trying things with his left arm instead. No, let’s not remodel our current action, let’s switch arms completely!

Now, that’s all very impressive. His only obstacle to becoming AB’s doppelganger completely is if he releases a music video, singing angelically, and also marrying a super hot lady in the process.

Honourable Mentions go to the Hobart Hurricanes’ Aiden Blizzard (come on, really?) who scored 78 not out, also against the Cobras, to see his side to victory. Also Suresh Raina, whose cracking form has continued and he made 90 not out to help Chennai to victory against the Dolphins.