By Ross Karl
The BlackCaps have Kane Williamson's 20 off just five balls in Hamilton last night to thank for their clean sweep of Zimbabwe.
The team admits the tight game was a wake up call ahead of Friday’s first Twenty20 match against South Africa.
The BlackCaps arrived in the capital with no mental baggage from the Zimbabwe series, thanks to Williamson's ability to withstand pressure in the middle.
“You gotta go in with that confidence that you can do it, so when it comes off it's not a surprise because it's obviously what you're out there to do,” he says. “But, yeah, it was a nice way to finish it.”
Williamson came in with New Zealand needing 21 off nine balls, and while he is not known as a big hitter, the 21-year-old went about finding the rope.
Heroics were needed after the bowlers missed their marks, allowing Hamilton Masakdza to hit Zimbabwe’s fastest Twenty20 half century - off 26 balls - and Brendan Taylor smashed 75 not out.
Chasing 200 for two, James Franklin successfully opened in Martin Guptill's absence.
He top scored with 60 and combined with Rob Nicol, who made 56, for a 103-run opening stand.
But Zimbabwe’s large total meant Williamson still had to save the day, providing the practice under pressure needed before playing the Proteas.
“Obviously you want to win every game as easily, and as in as dominant a fashion, as you can. But it's important to perform when the pressure is on and that's the key,” says Williamson.
And with the pressure about to go up against one of the world's top sides, beginning with the first Twenty20 at the Cake Tin on Friday, Williamson might be required for more match winning knocks.
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