It has been a victorious past few months for New Zealand and Kane Williamson, as a skipper particularly. Williamson led the Kiwis to the World Test Championship title and a runner-up place in the recent T20 World Cup.
Despite these achievements in his account, Williamson, after the thrilling drawn Test against India, in Kanpur, has seemed to be off the track. He had to endure an elbow injury, which kept the Kiwi skipper off the field for a long time.
Recently, Williamson had to miss the ongoing Trent Bridge Test, against England, as he was tested positive for COVID-19, on the eve of the match. Again, it will take much time to recover completely and get back on the field, for him.
Meanwhile, as a player too, Williamson is certainly not at his prime. Whether it has been the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the Lord’s Test, Williamson has constantly botched to deliver, that is, to score runs.
Considering the chain of events, the former New Zealand cricketer turned commentator Simon Doull recently made a statement regarding the 31-year-old’s stint so far, this year. Doull felt that Williamson should step down as a Test captain, handing over the role to Tom Latham, to focus on his batting mainly.
Doull, while commentating on day 1 of the second Test against England, for the broadcasters Sky Sports, stated: “I almost think that if Kane Williamson is fit to play and captain the side in the third Test, it might be for the last time in Test cricket. I just think it’s time for Tom Latham to take over this Test match side. Kane has done it for long enough, I just want him to be the best batsman New Zealand have ever had — and he will be.”
Grant Elliott opines on Kane Williamson quitting Test captaincy to focus on batting
Meanwhile, New Zealand great Grant Elliott thinks that the decision should depend on how Williamson copes with the matter.
Elliott, on SENZ’s Saturday Sessions, said: “I like the fact that Kane is not captaining if he’s playing because I always felt that the succession was broken when John Wright chose Ross Taylor as captain. It should’ve been Brendon (McCullum) and then Ross should’ve taken over from Brendon, and then Kane should’ve only been taking the reins over the last ca couple of years.”
Williamson has led New Zealand (NZ) on 36 Test occasions. Out of them, NZ won 21 encounters, while enduring 9 losses.
Furthermore, Elliott quoted: “Unfortunately, he was given it at a young age and there are so many responsibilities as captain. Some people enjoy it, some people don’t. I think it’s up to Kane whether he enjoys it or not, but I think it would take a lot of pressure off his batting and we could just enjoy watching probably our best-ever batter (succeed at the crease).”
Written By Prachi Pisal
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