Decoding Kane Williamson's impressive Test numbers in Asia
Eyes will be on veteran batter Kane Williamson as New Zealand take on Afghanistan in the one-off Test. This will be the first red-ball game between these two sides, which will take place at Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in India from Monday (September 9) onward. Meanwhile, Williamson has enjoyed tackling the red cherry in Tests in Asia. Here we decode the same.
An average of 48-plus in Asia
As per ESPNcricinfo, Williamson has scored 2,003 runs across 24 Tests in Asia at 48.85. The tally includes seven tons and as many fifties. He also owns a double-century here. South Africa's Jacques Kallis (2,058 at 55.62), England's Joe Root (2,437 at 46.86), and his compatriot Alastair Cook (2,710 at 53.13) are the only other non-Asian batters with 2,000-plus Test runs in the continent.
His numbers across different Asian nations
The Kiwi talisman has clobbered 389 Test runs at 55.57 in Bangladesh. In Sri Lanka, he has scored 187 runs at 26.71. 503 of his Test runs have come in India at an average of 33.53. He would like to improve his record here. He has 277 runs at 138.50 across three innings in Pakistan. He boasts 647 runs at 64.70 in UAE.
Here are his overall Test numbers
Earlier this year, Williamson became the fastest to reach 32 Test tons, having taken 172 innings of 98 Tests, as per ESPNcricinfo. Coming to his overall numbers, Williamson's overall tally reads 8,743 runs from 100 games at 54.98. He has struck 34 fifties besides 32 tons. The 34-year-old, who is NZ's leading run-getter in this format, also has six double-tons.
Williamson owns these prominent Test records
Williamson led New Zealand to glory in the inaugural World Test Championship (2019-21). He smashed 3,331 runs while leading in Tests. His average of 57.43 is the seventh-highest among batters with at least 3,000 Test runs as captain. While he averages 66.85 at home, only the legendary Don Bradman (98.22) has a higher average among batters with at least 3,000 Test runs at home.
