‘How am I here?’ - Kane Williamson recalls his early days ahead of landmark 100th Test

Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson is about to play his 100th Test match for the national team. Currently, the Black Caps are engaged in a two-game Test series with Australia, and with the second Test of the series all set to be held at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch from March 8, the occasion will be extra special for Kane Williamson. 

The clash against Australia in Christchurch will be Kane Williamson’s 100th Test match, and ahead of this monumental achievement, the veteran batter took centre stage and recalled his debut. Williamson made his Test debut against India in Ahmedabad in 2010 and was impressed with his performance. However, the 33-year-old revealed feeling bewildered to be involved in a match with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and many more veterans. 

"I remember walking out and looking around the field and seeing all my heroes. I used to love playing backyard cricket as a youngster, and all those guys were in that team that I would try and select. It was Tendulkar and Laxman and Dravid, and it was kind of like, 'How am I here? I'd better start watching the ball and try and compete," Williamson was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda. 

"It was quite surreal. I remember being quite eager to try and get into the opposition's dressing room and chat to some of those guys if I could. Then a few grey hairs later and [after] a number of different experiences over that time, there's not been many days - probably any - where I haven't tried to improve and get better as a player," he added.

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It's something I never could have imagined: Williamson

From being a bewildered youngster on his Test debut, Kane Williamson has come a long way. In the 99 Tests that he has played for New Zealand, the 33-year-old has amassed 8'675 runs in the format with a whopping 32 centuries to his name, becoming one of the best batters of the generation. However, the veteran picked the 2021 World Test Championship win as the peak of his Test career. 

"The Test Championship final [against India in 2021] is something that stands out for a number of different reasons. But it's a journey, and the highlights aren't there without the other. They're all experiences that you value and learn from. To perhaps reflect on hundred of those, it's something I never could have imagined," said Williamson.