New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee praised the former skipper Martin Crowe for his prediction in 2015 about Kane Williamson. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is one of the greatest batsmen the country has produced.

“Martin Crowe was a great player and thinker of the game. He was the best New Zealand batsman in my time -- a touch of class. Greatness is a word that is often misused or overused. No one becomes a great player in just a few years,” Hadlee said in an ICC media release.

“There are many average players, some good players, some very good ones, but greatness is earned from your peers and astute judges of the game and is bestowed on only a few. Martin's assessment of Kane is absolutely right. Kane has earned his stripes to be recognized as a great player now and in all formats of the game,” he added.

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Williamson who has 7,115 runs with 24 centuries to his name in the longest format is just below Ross Taylor (at the top with 7,379 runs) by just 264 runs. Hence, the all-rounder praised the right-hand batsman for his batting.

“Kane has worked on his game and handles pressure extremely well his temperament is outstanding he knows his limitations and thrives on his strengths. By the time he ends his career, he will have all the New Zealand batting records for most runs scored, most hundreds and a world-class batting average,” the 69-year-old said.

Kane Williamson will be back in action as New Zealand take on England in a two-match Test series followed by a match against team India in the World Test Championship final at Southampton from June 18.

(With ANI inputs)