It must have been tough for a player of his calibre to sit on the bench for so long, but when Kane Williamson finally got his chance, the New Zealander produced a memorable innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad against the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League [IPL].
Coming into bat after a rare failure from David Warner, Williamson showed his class during his knock of 89, which included six fours and five sixes.
Despite not having played a single game previously this season, the New Zealand skipper did not look rusty at all.
Part of a 136-run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan, Williamson’s 89 came from just 51 deliveries – a knock which would help the Sunrisers win the match by 15 runs.
After this innings, the 26-year-old should now become a more regular member of the Hyderabad outfit after being a bit-part player since he joined the franchise in 2015.
There was little argument when Williamson was named the Player of the Match at the end of the game.
SOCIAL CHATTER
Terrific performance from the #orangearmy tonight, Kane Williamson showed his true class! Now onto Pune for more. #IPL
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) April 19, 2017
Kane Williamson showing finesse and class still has a role in t 20's. Absolute STAR.🎉#IPL #SRHvDD
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) April 19, 2017
Williamson #GOAT
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) April 19, 2017
The Kane train has arrived!!! @IPL @SunRisers #IPL #SRHvDD
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) April 19, 2017
The champion came out and played like a champion. Wonderful to watch. #KaneWilliamson
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 19, 2017
Williamson is mesmerisingly good. Range of strokes, timing, style. Can watch him all day, anywhere, any format
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 19, 2017
bench is temporary, class is permanent #SRHvDD
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 19, 2017