His steady innings came at a time when the Kiwis were struggling to find any rhythm, making his contribution all the more valuable. With wickets falling at the other end, Young’s resilience ensured New Zealand had a competitive total to defend.

Batting against a challenging Pakistani attack, Young displayed his skills in both defence and attack. Despite the tough conditions, his ability to steady the ship allowed him to remain at the crease when others couldn’t. His composed approach added crucial runs to the scoreboard, cementing his place as one of New Zealand’s most dependable middle-order batters.

Who is Will Young?

Will Young, the right-hand batter from New Zealand, has been a mainstay in domestic cricket for years, known for his solid technique and proven consistency. Young, who debuted for New Zealand at age 20, has since evolved into one of the most reliable players in the middle order. His versatile batting style, which combines aggressive stroke play with excellent defensive technique, has made him a standout performer in all three formats.

Young’s journey in New Zealand cricket began in the 2012-13 season, and by 2014-15, he had already set the stage for a successful career with an impressive 909 runs at an average of 53. Since then, he has consistently crossed the 500-run mark in every season, making him one of the most consistent performers in the Plunket Shield. His leadership skills also came to the forefront when he captained Central Districts, guiding them to a Plunket Shield title and recording his career-best score of 162 during the 2017-18 season.Young’s rise in domestic cricket was not unnoticed, and he made his international debut for New Zealand in December 2020. His ability to perform under pressure was evident as he transitioned from Test to ODI and T20I formats within a short span, making his mark with a memorable debut in each. Despite the fierce competition for spots in New Zealand’s squad, Young has made vital contributions whenever called upon.

A steady presence across formats

Will Young’s statistics across formats are a testament to his growing stature in international cricket. In 41 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he has accumulated 1,615 runs at an average of 44.86. His highest score of 120 not out highlights his capacity to anchor an innings and guide his side to sizeable totals. With 27 half-centuries and four hundreds to his name in ODIs, Young has proven himself as a key figure in New Zealand’s middle order.

In the longest format, Young has made 20 Test appearances, scoring 1,063 runs at an average of 31.26. His solid technique and adaptability have seen him record a top score of 89 in Test cricket, further solidifying his role as a dependable middle-order batsman. Though Young is yet to register a Test century, his consistency and ability to battle through challenging conditions make him a valuable asset for New Zealand.

His T20I numbers reflect his adaptability, although he has yet to reach the heights of his ODI and Test performances. With a batting average of 18.11 in 20 T20I matches, his contributions in the shortest format remain limited but still important when the team needs stability.

Highlights of Young’s career

A pivotal moment in Young’s career came in 2023 when New Zealand toured India for a Test series. Displaying an admirable level of positivity and confidence against the Indian spinners, Young top-scored with 244 runs and was deservedly named Player of the Series.

His dynamic batting style, including the successful use of the sweep shot, was crucial to New Zealand’s historic 3-0 whitewash of India. It was one of the finest individual performances of his career, showcasing his potential to thrive in the most challenging conditions.

Young’s career so far has been a blend of steady progress, marked by occasional breakthroughs and pivotal performances. Whether it was his breakthrough 162-run innings in the 2017-18 Plunket Shield or his match-winning hundred against the Netherlands in 2022, Young has demonstrated time and again that he can deliver when it matters most. His ability to adapt to different formats and circumstances has made him one of New Zealand’s most reliable and versatile batters. As he continues to grow, the cricket world watches with anticipation to see just how much further he can go.