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Kane Williamson puts team's interest ahead of himself during New Zealand's win over Windies in World Cup 2019
Kane Williamson was fined 20% of his match fees for slow over-rate against Windies
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has stated that he knew he might be fined for his team's slow over-rate in their win against West Indies, but took his time to set the field nonetheless. Prioritizing winning over his own personal predicament, Williamson's selfless act is being hailed.
The skipper was fined 20% of his match fees after being ruled to be one-over short in the Kiwi's required minimum over-rate target against Windies. The game went down to the wire, with the Black Caps prevailing by just five runs. The larger concern, however, is that if Williamson breaches the slow over-rate rule again in this edition of the World Cup 2019, he will be suspended for a game.
"There are a number of parts to it and the umpires do keep you noted in terms of your over rate. We were very close, and then when the game got tight, I sort of thought in the back of my mind that we were going to be a little bit slow, but I thought what was more important was trying to make sure we were clear in what we were trying to do as a team, and then cop the charge at the end.
"There was a lot going on and naturally when it comes down to the last couple of balls you are perhaps having a few more conversations. Unfortunately we were an over short."
Coach Gary Stead suggested that the pressure in a tight win impacted the over-rate, but the skipper will try to be more careful as the tournament progresses.
"We will be talking about that, it's certainly something we don't want. Our record's been really good, and I think the moment the other night was something that probably got to everyone, it was so noisy and the atmosphere was so good that it was really hard and difficult to hear. When you get in those pressure moments, sometimes you need to take a bit of extra time to be clear on it."
The Kiwis have been fined only nine times since 1992 for slow over-rate, but Williamson has been caught in two of them. He has plans to avoid the third.
"It's never been a big problem for us in the past.
"I guess a good way to try and combat that in the future is making sure that in the earlier overs to try and build a little bit more time for that back end. In the next game we're just wanting to get through the overs a little bit quicker, in terms of in between overs, just to give ourselves that little bit more time at the back end of the game."
