Smith all praise for Kane

SYDNEY: Australia’s Steve Smith was all praise for Kane Williamson’s work ethic and batting ahead of New Zealand’s Test series against their neighbours.

“Terrific work ethic, a good eye and plenty of time,” Smith hailed the New Zealand captain on Tuesday in Perth ahead of the first Test starting on Thursday.

“I think he has loads of time against quick bowling. He is a quality player and hopefully we can keep him quiet this series.”

India’s Virat Kohli, Smith and Williamson have dominated the batting charts for the past few years, and are currently first, second and third respectively on the ICC Test rankings for batting.

The three batsmen have been fulcrums around which their teams have posted big runs and big wins, with consistency a hallmark. Their unique styles and personalities set them apart from one another, but in one aspect, Smith can compare himself to Williamson.

“I think we actually hold the bat reasonably similarly,” said Smith. “He has got quite a closed grip. I like that in Test cricket personally. It just helps playing the ball a bit later and I think (Williamson) plays it a bit later than anybody else in the world ... He plays the ball incredibly late, he is patient.”

Smith averages a remarkable 90.44 this year, while Williamson is on 76.16. Where Smith is known for his twitchy style and exaggerated movements, the New Zealand skipper is textbook perfection itself.

The Kiwi star has also enjoyed playing in Australia: On their last tour to the country in 2015, he struck two hundreds and one fifty, averaging 85.60 from six innings, and is likely to be crucial to their chances this time as well.

New Zealand, for their part, are as wary about Smith. “He’s been a terrific player for a while now,” said Tim Southee, the pace bowler. “The way he’s transformed himself into one of the best batters in the world after starting as a leg-spinner and he keeps going from strength to strength.”