They have both played 77 tests and Williamson is out in front from a statistical standpoint.
He has scored more runs (6370), more hundreds (21) and has a superior average (52.21).
But Crowe made batting look like an art and he carried a heavy burden in terms of his value to the batting line-up.
Despair would spread around the country at a faster rate when Crowe was removed from the crease.
That has as much to do with the supporting cast Williamson has around him as it does the quality of Crowe’s batting. But it is a factor all the same.
Crowe was often cautious early on in an innings.
He took 30 minutes to make his first run when he scored 188 to help New Zealand beat Australia at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in 1985.
That test is remembered for Richard Hadlee’s nine wickets for 52 but the quality of Crowe’s batting was masterful.
He also faced up to the daunting West Indies side and its battery of extraordinary fast bowlers — read Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh — during his tenure. Has there ever been a more formidable pace quartet?
It is also worth noting he was picked to play for New Zealand when he was 19 and arguably not ready.
He had to contend with the likes of Australian greats Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee and did not fare well.
It was a rough beginning and he also struggled with injury at the end of his stint in the team. He scored more than 20 just once in his last 10 innings.
Remove the difficult start and his painful finish and Crowe’s career average of 45.36 would have risen well above 50.
Arguably 50 then was worth more than 50 these days. The game is generally played on superior surfaces with bigger bats and smaller boundaries.
Williamson may have a few advantages when compared with Crowe but he shades the late great man in several areas.
He is more consistent. The 29-year-old has passed 50 in three consecutive innings on six occasions.
Crowe managed that feat only twice.
Williamson also bats a spot higher in the order, which means he has less protection from the new ball.
He is also the king at the death.
He averages 56.91 in fourth innings, compared with Crowe who averaged 38.66.
So, Williamson or Crowe?
It is a tie. Crowe clouted 659 fours, Williamson has 694 boundaries.
- Special thanks to Randal Scott for providing the inspiration for this article and also a good chunk of the analysis.
Kane Williamson
- 77 tests
- 6370 runs at 52.21
- 21 hundreds
Martin Crowe
- 77 tests
- 5444 runs at 45.36
- 17 hundreds
