Kane Williamson has come of age as an international cricket captain over the summer says Black Caps coach Mike Hesson.
Williamson, 26, has already scored the most test centuries by a New Zealander, equalling the late Martin Crowe's efforts.
He took over the mantle of captain when Brendon McCullum retired last year and Hesson says he has noticed a significance difference in Williamson over that period.
"Kane captained 30-odd games before he took over fulltime, but they had been pretty sporadic and it's pretty difficult to put your own stamp on (the team) when you are only coming in for one game here, two games there, couple of T20's there," said Hesson.
Willamson has now stamped his own mark on the captaincy says Black Caps coach Mike Hesson. Photo: Photosport
"It took Kane probably half a dozen games for Kane to put his own stamp on it but from Christmas onwards I think he's been exceptional in all forms of the game in terms of his captaincy.
"He reads the game particularly well. He gets to know the players, what makes them tick and makes a real effort to get the best out of everybody."
The captaincy role though is at odds with Willamson's preferred low profile.
Being the leader of the Black Caps puts someone in the spotlight.
"The thing that the team likes so much about Kane is that he's so selfless. I understand you (the media) might not get quotes out of him talking about himself but that's him.
Kane Williamson and Mike Hesson. Photo: Photosport
"He doesn't do it for effect...he simply cares about the team and cares about trying to win games for his country and that's his priority.
"If he's able to achieve milestones along the way so be it but it's certainly not something that drives him."
-RNZ
