World Cup 2019: Rating the performances of Fab 4 in the tournament

#4 Kane Williamson – (9.75/10)

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson's 85 runs in the warm-up game against West Indies was a sign of things to come in the World Cup. Since New Zealand finished off their run chase against Sri Lanka without losing a wicket, Williamson was made to wait for his chance in the middle.

In his first outing against Bangladesh, he scored 40 runs and also had a 100-run partnership with Ross Taylor. Later, he scored his first half-century of the tournament against Afghanistan.

Williamson's first century of the tournament helped New Zealand to cross the finishing line against South Africa. He registered his career-best score of 148 in the game against West Indies. In the matches against Pakistan and Australia, he bowled a few overs and claimed two wickets.

It was in the semi-final in which we witnessed the sheer cricketing brilliance of Williamson. As opposed to the opinions of viewers, experts, and the opposition, Williamson felt that 240 was defendable on the Old Trafford pitch. Hence, he batted accordingly with Taylor and stitched together a decent partnership. Eventually, his assessment proved to be correct as New Zealand won the match by 18 runs.

In the final against England, Williamon started his typical rescue act once again. However, England’s middle-overs expert, Liam Plunkett, dismissed him for just 30 runs. In the end, the final became the one of the most exciting games in the history of ODIs.

Overall, Williamson scored 578 runs in his nine innings and finished fourth in the overall run-getters list. He was deservedly adjudged as the ‘Player of the Series’ at the end of the tournament.