Unsold in IPL mega auction, Kane Williamson smashes unbeaten half-century on SA20 league debut after opting to skip ODI series vs Sri Lanka

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is not part of the ongoing ODI series at home against Sri Lanka. Williamson who rejected a central contract from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) last year to focus on franchise cricket made his SA20 League debut for Durban Super Giants on January 10. Against Pretoria Capitals at Kingsmead, Durban, Williamson showed glimpses of his old self with an unbeaten 40-ball 60.

Unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, Williamson walked out to bat at no.3 in the seventh over. Giants had got a good start in the powerplay overs overs. Matthew Breeetzke scored 33 runs from 20 balls before falling to spinner Senuran Muthusamy. In the ninth over, Muthusamy knocked over the other opener Bryce Parsonas as well. Parsons scored 47 runs from 28 balls.

In the middle overs, Williamson did not let the tempo drop. Muthusamy with the last ball of his spell got rid of Quinton de Kock as well. In the next over, Liam Livingstone got the prized wicket of Heinrich Klaasen for a two-ball duck. In the 15th over, Williamson had a reprieve when Rahmanullah Gurbaz dropped his catch off James Neesham's delivery.

The Kiwi batter was well-supported by Wiaan Mulder who smashed Livingstone for three sixes. In the next over, the senior batter hit the first six of his innings as he slog-swept Eathan Bosch over deep mid-wicket. In the penultimate over, he hit Neesham for a six to reach his fifty from 36 balls. He helped Giants post 209/4. His knock of 40-ball 60 featured three fours and a couple of sixes. On the other end, Mulder contributed with a 19-ball 45. 

Gurbaz, Jacks' onslaught

In reply, Pretoria Capitals were in control of the run chase as Will Jacks and Gurbaz fired from both ends. As they launched a brutal assault, Capitals were 81 for no loss after powerplay overs. Gurbaz reached fifty from 22 balls in the seventh over. Jacks took 28 deliveries to complete his half-century in the 11th over. They crossed the 150-run mark in the 12th over. The breakthrough came in the 13th over as Noor Ahmad got rid of Gurbaz. He departed after scoring 89 runs from 43 balls including three fours and seven sixes.

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Capitals collapse, Giants sneak a win

When Gurbaz returned to the pavillion, Capitals needed 56 runs from 47 balls. Capital Rilee Rossouw got knocked over by Chris Woakes. Noor in his third over knocked over Jacks with a brilliant delivery. Jacks scored 64 runs from 35 balls. The pressure mounted up and Capitals continued to lose wickets. Neesham and Livingstone could not make an impact. In the final over, Naveen-ul-Haq was charged with the responsibility to defend 14 runs. He conceded 11 runs and Capitals won the match by two runs.

Williamson's return to ODI team

Williamson is likely to return to New Zealand's ODI squad for the tri-series in Pakistan involving South Africa. In the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, New Zealand failed to win a single match as they were knocked out of semifinals race early under Williamson's captaincy. The last time New Zealand won the Champions Trophy was in 2000 when they beat Sourav Ganguly-led side.