5 Mar 2019

Cricket: Kane Williamson officially NZ's greatest

7:27 am on 5 March 2019

The Black Caps captain Kane Williamson is officially New Zealand's greatest cricketer of all time.

Williamson has reached a career best 915 rating points after an unbeaten double-century in the first Test against Bangladesh in Hamilton.

Williamson's 200 not out, has lifted him from 897 points to within seven points of India captain Virat Kohli, who is perched at the top of the test player rankings.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson leaves the field after scoring his double hundred.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson leaves the field after scoring his double hundred. Photo: Photosport

With two more Tests to go in the series, Williamson has a chance to regain the top spot, which he occupied briefly towards the end of 2015.

Williamson's rating points are the highest by any New Zealander in Test cricket with Sir Richard Hadlee the only other player from New Zealand to pass the 900-point mark with a best of 909 points in bowling.

Openers Tom Latham and Jeet Raval have also made good progress after their centuries in Hamilton.

Latham's score of 161 has lifted him one place to a career-best 11th position and just three points shy of South Africa's Faf du Plessis, who is in 10th place with 702 points.

Raval's maiden century, after seven fifties, has helped him gain five slots and reach 33rd position.