Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
The next two months represent a huge period for Kane Williamson and New Zealand. The Black Caps will embark on six Tests, starting with Afghanistan, followed by two Tests in Sri Lanka and three in India.
Williamson’s record in India and Sri Lanka is a chink in his armour when it comes to where he sits among the ‘Fab 4’. The classy right-hander averages 33.53 in eight Tests in India and 26.71 in four Tests in Sri Lanka, and he will sure to be tested once again.
Overall in Asia, Williamson averages 48.85 in 24 Tests, excluding 647 runs at 64.70 in the UAE. An unbeaten double century in Pakistan and 389 runs in four Tests in Bangladesh bumps the average significantly. However, Williamson himself knows the importance of adjusting quickly when coming up against quality spinners in India and Sri Lanka.
“I think it’s absolutely about trying to adjust your game,” he said leading up to the Afghanistan Test, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “Because we’re not here consistently in this format. We go through quite long intervals of not playing here. So you know it is trying to sort of familiarise yourself again and for us, our last Test match was sort of six or eight months ago. So you know, as a team it’s really connecting with that again as a red-ball group and looking to apply our skills, our plans as well as we can.”
Kane Williamson seeking to improve on record in Asia, especially India and Sri Lanka
| Country | Innings | Runs | Average |
| Bangladesh | 7 | 389 | 55.57 |
| India | 15 | 503 | 33.53 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 277 | 138.50 |
| Sri Lanka | 7 | 187 | 26.71 |
Williamson averages 31.36 across 22 innings in India and Sri Lanka. He’s crossed 50 just five times including two centuries, one of which came on debut in India in 2010.
The addition of Sri Lanka legend Rangana Herath to the New Zealand coaching staff can work wonders. Williamson will come against left-arm spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Prabath Jayasuriya. Herath can be priceless in providing tips to tackle the threat those three bowlers will provide.
If New Zealand are to win in Asia, they need Williamson to lead the way. The Black Caps are still a chance of reaching the World Test Championship Final, but must perform well in Sri Lanka and India to do so.
