The debate around the Kane Williamson Fab Four comparison has always sparked interest among cricket fans. New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has now added fuel to the fire by stating that he ranks his fellow countryman, Kane Williamson, ahead of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root in this iconic group.
“I’ve bowled to Kane countless times in the nets, and let me tell you, it’s no easy task. He’s one of the best in the world, and to witness his consistency up close has been incredible,” Southee said ahead of New Zealand’s Test match against Afghanistan in Greater Noida.
The Kane Williamson Fab Four conversation isn’t new, but what makes it interesting is the analysis that goes into comparing these elite players. Kohli, for example, has a Test average of 49.15, the lowest among the Fab Four. However, Kohli’s dominance in white-ball cricket is undeniable, with his numbers in ODIs and T20Is being far superior to the rest.
Even Australian women’s cricket captain Alyssa Healy chimed in recently, placing Kohli fourth in the Fab Four rankings but acknowledging his overall brilliance. “Kohli is number one in everything else, but if you’re looking purely at Test stats, I’d put him fourth,” Healy commented during her appearance on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.
Despite Kohli’s placement in the Fab Four debate, there’s no question about his greatness. As Southee remarked, “All of these guys are phenomenal. There’s a reason they’re known as the Fab Four.” But for Southee, it’s clear—when it comes to sheer consistency in Tests, Kane Williamson stands out.
