Kane Williamson is preparing to lead New Zealand in a rare and extensive Test series in Asia, spanning two months.
The Kiwis will play six Tests—one against Afghanistan, two against Sri Lanka, and a three-match series against India. This is a significant opportunity for New Zealand to familiarise themselves with subcontinental conditions, as they haven’t played more than three Tests in Asia in a single year for over a decade.
New Zealand’s track record in the subcontinent, particularly in India, has been modest, with only two wins in 36 Test matches. Despite this, Williamson stressed the importance of adjusting their game to the local conditions, acknowledging the challenges of playing in a region where they don’t compete regularly in red-ball cricket. New Zealand’s last Test match was six to eight months ago, so the team is working on reconnecting as a red-ball unit.
Williamson, despite being one of the world’s top batsmen and a member of the “FAB 4” (alongside Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root), has yet to achieve significant success in Asian conditions. He averages just 31.36 in 22 innings in the region. However, he’s eager to embrace the challenge and gain valuable experience, especially with New Zealand playing their first-ever Test against Afghanistan.
“You know, such a volume of Test cricket that we don’t usually get, and obviously in this part of the world,” Williamson
Williamson emphasized the need for New Zealand to grow as a unit and be clear in their approach, acknowledging the tough challenges posed by Asian teams. The one-off Test against Afghanistan begins on Monday at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, kicking off the Kiwis’ eight-week Asian tour.
