The form of Hamish Bennett and Kane Williamson was a highlight in an otherwise dismal tour for the BLACKCAPS. Both excelled in the subcontinent and www.blackcaps.co.nz spoke to the young players about their experiences and what the futures holds for the duo.
It was the first tour with the BLACKCAPS for Hamish Bennett. The Canterbury Wizards fast bowler was determined to do his bit and although the results didn’t go the BLACKCAPS way, Bennett made his mark, especially in the third game of the series when he took 3/44. “I was happy to take a wicket to start with, but to get three was obviously pretty exciting,” he said. “You want to win a game for your country and do what is best for you and best for your team.”
In the same game Northern Knights all-rounder Kane Williamson showed his class under pressure as he battled through severe cramps to score the only century of the tour for the BLACKCAPS. The cramps started to affect him half way through his innings worked through the pain to score 108. “Apart from the cramps I was feeling good and seeing the ball well. We were in a bit of trouble so I had a specific role to play,” Williamson said. “I went out there and played my own game.
“To be honest it’s not something I’m focusing on. I want to contribute as many runs as possible and to win as many games as possible.”
The heat and humidity in the subcontinent was the biggest challenge for the duo, but both believe they are now well prepared to play more games in the same conditions. Both are keen for selection for the tour of India and to be included in the world cup squad. “The heat and humidity was pretty horrific. Coming from a New Zealand winter the heat hits you. That was the toughest part for me,” Bennett said. “It’s about the experience in the subcontinent. The heat; the people, who are cricket mad; the pitches. It’s all the little things you don’t know about until you get there. I’ve got to take that experience and keep building on it.”
Williamson added although the conditions were tough he is looking forward to the challenges the subcontinent brings in the future. “I’ve learnt a lot on this tour. I’ve got more experience playing in the subcontinent and at the top level. That experience is the most valuable thing to me,” he said. “I’m not going to get down about the past performances instead I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
The BLACKCAPS team to tour India will be named over the weekend and the duo is keen to be included in the line up. Both are yet to make their Test debuts for the BLACKCAPS. “The longer form of the game is more my forte,” admitted Bennett. “As a kid growing up I always wanted to play Test cricket for New Zealand and it would be good to get a chance to debut over there.”
Test cricket is also a goal for Williamson. “I believe Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport. One of my goals is to play Test Cricket,” he concluded.
