A similar script unfolded with New Zealand in action in yet another World Cup game and Williamson - this time the captain - taking charge against South Africa at Edgbaston, one of their most haunted grounds.

A target of 242 in 49 overs would never be a stiff one - mountains of scores have already been conquered in recent times - but a two-paced pitch not the most ideal for run-scoring greeted Williamson with the bat in a rain-affected game.

The game was entirely in control until misfortune intervened. Martin Guptill struck his own stumps - though the fact that he did that just after completing his shot will ask questions of the law and the umpires. Two overs later, one of Williamson's most dependable lieutenants, Ross Taylor, gifted his wicket while flicking a ball outside leg off Chris Morris, whose next over accounted for Tom Latham to leave New Zealand at 80 for 4.

That started the struggle. Dots had started building up and pressure was being piled from Imran Tahir at the other end who was giving nothing away. The ball was stopping before coming onto the bat and Tahir made it turn and grip on a sluggish surface to keep the momentum with South Africa. Williamson was handling all of this with pure panache - he waited for the ball to spin, used his wrists expertly to nudge the ball, and presented the full face of the bat when driving straight or square on the off side.

The required rate had climbed to over six as Williamson completed his fifty off 72 balls while his counterpart Faf du Plessis kept shuffling his bowlers in search of the fifth wicket. Each time that either of South Africa's pacers pitched it outside off - whether they took pace off the ball or bowled with scrambled seam - Williamson kept tucking them towards third man for a comfortable single. The odd boundary kept coming to keep the run rate in check, with Williamson finding some luck on his way.

Just when it seemed that he and Jimmy Neesham were to stay, Morris removed the latter to finish half the job for his side. At that stage, New Zealand needed 105 from 100 deliveries. Colin de Grandhomme arrived at number seven to attack from ball one - flashy strokes and powerful shots were exactly what would have pulled South Africa back. While the world noticed de Grandhomme smash one boundary after another, an obdurate Williamson's grinding and orthodox, risk-free approach may have delighted only the purist.

He was lucky to survive on occasions when South Africa could have as good as sealed the match. A difficult chance off Tahir landed short of David Miller at mid-wicket; just five balls later, the faintest of bottom edges to Quinton de Kock behind was not reviewed despite excitement from the bowler; and with 58 to get off 54, Miller failed to collect a throw to send Williamson packing, instead dislodging the bails with his hand.

But like a monk mingled in meditation, he did not get distracted from his business. Williamson's strike rate had dipped well below 70 though de Grandhomme ensured the required rate never touched seven. But he kept himself busy with singles - most effective of those were the countless deft dabs to third man - and twos, which he collected when the ball traveled to the longer part of the ground.

It was down to 14 off 12 when Williamson, by now on 91, lost de Grandhomme. A couple of dots later, it read 12 off 7. That is when Williamson, the captain, played like Williamson, the leader, as he brought out his most endearing shot - the neat nudge to third man - for the umpteenth time, and this time for four.