Indian Test great Rahul Dravid and former South Africa all-rounder Graeme Smith have said that big-hitting batsman Kane Williamson is key to the New Zealand batting line-up following his splendid performances ahead of the World Cup.
Williamson, who's averaging 70 in one-day cricket matches for 2014, has established himself as a stalwart of New Zealand's batting line-up and former India skipper Dravid expects the batsman to be very much the key around which New Zealand's batting unit revolves.
Dravid said that he believes that they rely on Williamson to bat through the middle around a lot of their stroke players; adding that the likes of Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and James Anderson and Martin Guptill can bat, and just allow him to do his business, Stuff.co.nz reported.
Dravid, nicknamed 'The Wall' for his defensive batting precision, praised the way that Williamson has played, with his totals allowing for freedom elsewhere in the batting order.
Smith echoed Dravid's thoughts, crediting Williamson with allowing players like Taylor and McCullum to have more freedom with the bat.
Smith said that it would be lovely to hear what has changed in Williamson's game or his mindset over the last year when his game has gone to a new level, adding that he believes the batsman has provided the stability which New Zealand have always lacked.
Smith also believes that Williamson is going to be key in New Zealand's tournament, adding that it's really been fantastic to see how his game's grown and he believes that most teams would want to look at the batsman and say how can they get him out early.
New Zealand have won five of their last six ODI fixtures, and Williamson has played a crucial part in the matches he has played ahead of the World Cup, which gets underway on February 14, the report added.
