Black Caps back skipper to get in the runs

Inform Black Caps batsman Glenn Phillips is backing skipper Kane Williamson to come right with the bat at the T20 World Cup.

Kane Williamson walks from the field
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Williamson has had scores of 23, 8 and then 40 in last night’s loss to England.

His strike-rate of just over 90 percent is pedestrian by T20 standards and his scoring rate has bogged down the Black Caps at times.

But Phillips is adamant Williamson is what they need.

“Kane is absolute gold at three for us.

“He understands situations and while he had a bit of a tough day (against England) he has the experience and the ability to take a game deep.

“(His) command of the middle overs is crucial.

“So to be able to have myself, Neesh, Daryl as well as Santner do our role at the end, having Kane there doing what he’s doing at the moment, we know he’s going to come right at some point, he always does.

“England bowled very well to him, they shut down his areas and next game he could very easily get 50 off 20 nuts (balls) as well, so we back him fully.

Williamson has played 84 T20 international games, scoring 2296 runs at an average of 32.33 with a strike rate of 122.51.

New Zealand play Ireland in their last group game on Friday needing a win to guarantee a semi finals spot.

The Black Caps, England and Australia all have five points, but New Zealand has a far superior run rate thanks to their big win over Australia in the opening game.

Australia play Afghanistan and England play Sri Lanka in their last group games.