Will Williams

Will Williams is a dual Passport (UK/NZ) holding seamer who has made waves in New Zealand domestic cricket recently. The right-arm seamer has been Canterbury’s stand-out performer, including a record-breaking T20 5-for and hattrick.

In 2019/20, his exploits saw him sweep the awards, taking out Men’s “Player of the Year”, “Player’s Player”, and “Bowler of the Year”. Last summer, the trend continued, winning the “Bowler of the Year”, and was nominated for New Zealand’s domestic “Player of the Year”.

Williams was an integral part of Canterbury’s Plunket Shield (first-class), and Ford Trophy (List A) titles, topping both competition wicket-charts (31 wickets at 17.03, and 20 wickets at 18.05).

In January 2020, Williams became the first Canterbury player to take a T20 hattrick, amongst figures of 5-12 from only 2 overs (the fewest balls to claim a 5-wicket haul in T20 history). 9 months later, he bagged his maiden Plunket Shield 5-for, taking out 4 of the top 5 Wellington batsmen, including Blackcaps players Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, and New Zealand A batter, Michael Bracewell, on his way to figures of 5-58 (26). A week later, he eclipsed these figures, taking 5-26 (18) against the Northern Knights, adding a further three kiwi players to his wicket-list, namely BJ Watling, Scott Kuggeleijn, and Ish Sodhi.

Williams would go on to top the Plunket Shield wicket charts, helping Canterbury to the title. However, alongside his potency, he proved to be one of the more difficult bowlers to get away with, with a tournament economy of 1.98. This was highlighted in a match against Central Districts, going for 27 runs from 36 overs across both innings at McLean Park in Napier.

The seamer has really hit his straps in recent years, following his debut almost a decade ago (November 2012). Study, alongside a spate of injuries, hampered the initial part of his cricket career, but over the past few seasons, he’s become a key member of the successful Canterbury side. With 164 wickets at 25.35 across the three formats (99 at 22.94 since 2019/20), Williams is one of the most prolific seamers in New Zealand cricket.

Williams is hoping to impress, once again, this summer and continue to push for New Zealand A selection. Thereafter, Williams is keen to return to the UK, where he has enjoyed one club season, playing for Bridgwater in the top tier of the West of England Premier League (2017 – 23 wickets at 17.38). Whilst club cricket is his initial aim, the Pilot-by-trade, is also eager to secure County interest whilst abroad in 2022.

Check out the following link for more details about Will Williams via TVNZ.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/cricket/meet-canterbury-seamer-nicknamed-crickets-mccaw-whose-bowling-career-taking-off