Stats: Kane Williamson becomes fastest New Zealand batsman to 3000 ODI runs

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson became the fastest New Zealand batsman and the fifth fastest ever to reach the landmark of 3000 ODI runs, during the course of his knock of 90 from 70 balls against England in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Wednesday. Williamson’s innings helped the Black Caps post an imposing 349 for 7, but it was nowhere near enough as England cruised to victory with 6 overs to spare.

Coming in to bat at 88 for 1, Williamson took full advantage of the solid platform that was laid by the opening pair of Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill. Without ever breaking sweat, he managed to score at well over run-a-ball and racked up a partnership of 101 runs off around 16 overs with Ross Taylor.

Just as he was inching towards what would have been his eighth ODI century, however, he lost concentration and holed out to Adil Rashid at mid-on off the bowling of David Willey. His splendid effort, unfortunately, went in vain, as Eoin Morgan and Joe Root smashed centuries to help England pull off their highest ever successful run chase in ODI history.

While Williamson, courtesy of his innings, reached the landmark of 3000 ODI runs in just 73 innings, he is still some way short of South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who is the fastest having got there in merely 57 innings. Nathan Astle was the previous fastest among New Zealand players, having reached the milestone of 3000 ODI runs in 93 innings.

Top 10 fastest batsmen to 3000 ODI runs

Rank	Player	Country	Innings
1	Hashim Amla	SA	57
2	Vivian Richards	WI	69
3	Gordon Greenidge	WI	72
4	Gary Kirsten	SA	72
5	Kane Williamson	NZ	73
6	Virat Kohli	IND	75
7	Graham Gooch	ENG	76
8	Kevin Pietersen	ENG	78
9	Navjot Singh Sidhu	IND	79
10	Brian Lara	WI	79

*Stats updated till June 18, 2015