Williamson a wonder unfamiliar down under

He is widely acknowledged as one of the most talented young batsmen in world cricket, but Australian audiences could be forgiven for being unfamiliar with the prowess of New Zealand star Kane Williamson.

The 25-year-old has played 41 Tests, 85 one-day internationals and 25 Twenty20s for the Black Caps since making his international debut in mid-2010, reaping 7,145 runs across the three formats to date.

With 3,199 Test runs at an average of 45.70, Williamson has been tipped by New Zealand legend Martin Crowe to one day overtake Stephen Fleming's record of 7,172 Test runs to become the country's greatest runs-scorer, while recently retired Australia quick Ryan Harris has labelled him as the danger man ahead of next week’s first Test in Brisbane.

"I reckon close to one of the best players in the world at the moment is Kane Williamson," Harris told SEN’s The Run Home. "He’s just a very, very good player. So we’ve got our work cut out to make sure we try and get him early, because he plays a big role for New Zealand at No.3."

Quick single: Marsh eyes chance to create history

Less than one season into a stint for English county club Yorkshire, head coach Jason Gillespie joined the fan club, declaring the Kiwi international would become one of the all-time great batsmen.

Yet of Williamson's 151 international appearances, just three have taken place on Australian soil.

His four innings during New Zealand's 2011 Test tour reaped a below-par 19, 0, 19 and 34, while Williamson – like many of his Kiwi teammates – struggled in the World Cup final in Melbourne in March, caught and bowled by Mitchell Johnson for 12.

His most memorable moment against Australia to date came at Auckland's Eden Park in February during the pool stage of the World Cup this year, when he weathered the storm of a stunning Mitchell Starc spell before striking the winning six in the Black Caps' nail-biting win.

Image Id: ~/media/6E8234AF0DBF4287B6F0C267183E5A01

Williamson after hitting the winning six against Australia // Getty Images

So why is the elegant right-hander from New Zealand's Bay of Plenty region so highly rated?

Williamson burst onto the Test scene with a dream debut in late 2010, scoring a century against India in Ahmedabad.

While it was more than a year before his next Test ton, an unbeaten 102 against South Africa in Wellington, he has flourished since making a permanent move to first drop in mid-2012.

After two centuries against the West Indies in mid-2014, Williamson enjoyed a bountiful summer against the red ball in 2014-15, compiling 192 against Pakistan in Sharjah before returning home to score 396 runs in two Tests against Sri Lanka.

That purple patch of form was highlighted by an unbeaten 242 in the second Test in Wellington, where he combined with wicketkeeper BJ Watling in an unbeaten 365-run sixth-wicket partnership.

Image Id: ~/media/1B4CB95D28E546EDA540D7871FBD8597

Williamson lifts the bat for 200 // Getty Images

Williamson then joined an elite club when he scored a century against England at Lord's earlier this year, becoming only the eighth batsman in Test history to score 10 Test tons prior to his 25th birthday, joining the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers and Sachin Tendulkar.

His performances have been a major contributor to the Black Caps' surge up the Test rankings, and he is one of the reasons they are considered a genuine chance to win their first Test series on Australian soil in 30 years this summer.

Quick single: Pink ball could be Test silver bullet, says Waugh

His one-day international career started in less convincing fashion in 2010 with consecutive ducks, but Williamson produced his first 50-over century in his fourth appearance and has since added another six tons to his tally, averaging 48.02 in the format.

Across all formats, he has scored five centuries at home and 12 away, proving himself a quality competitor against both extreme pace and high-quality spin.

Like fellow young Test stars Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, Williamson has also been handed leadership opportunities early in his career and filled in for regular skipper Brendon McCullum during New Zealand's limited-overs tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa in August.

While he was rested from New Zealand's day-night pink ball hit-out against the Prime Minister's XI on Friday, Williamson showed ominous form in his knock against the Cricket Australia XI on Sunday, scoring 68 from 80 balls before retiring.