New Zealand star batter Kane Williamson surprised his 99-year-old fan Muru on his birthday by giving him a bat signed with the Kiwi team’s signatures on it.
Muru speaking on The Project NZ said, “He’s (Williamson) not only a cricketer a man of character. He typically represents a real typical Kiwi.”
Muru’s daughter said that supporting the Blackcaps has been an abiding passion right through Muru’s life. She also shared the moment with Williamson when he donated his match fee to terrorist victims in Pakistan in 2014 during the sides series against Pakistan held in UAE, was the moment her father became his fan.
When the family of 99-year-old cricket superfan Muru reached out to NZ Cricket, they were hoping for a cheeky birthday autograph.
But the @BLACKCAPS got him something even better. Tony Lyall was there for the reveal! pic.twitter.com/fEAoAxvkxk
— The Project NZ (@TheProject_NZ) March 24, 2023
Muru further said, “You (Williamson) have given cricket a new character. Not playing the game for winning”
When asked about who will win the first ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, Muru instantly replied Blackcaps and he was right. Henry Shipley claimed a career-best 5-31 to dismantle Sri Lanka as New Zealand steamrolled the tourists by 198 runs.
Chasing 275 for victory, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 76 in the 20th over with Shipley orchestrating their rout on a lively track at the Eden Park. Only three Sri Lankan batters managed double digits in their sorry-looking scorecard.
Earlier put into bat, New Zealand were all out for 274 with three deliveries left in their innings.
Five home batters got past 25 but opener Finn Allen’s 51 was the highest score by a New Zealander.
Daryl Mitchell made 47 and Glenn Phillips contributed 39, while Rachin Ravindra (49) fell agonisingly short of a half-century in his maiden one-day international.
Chamika Karunaratne was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers claiming a career-best 4-43 on a lively pitch at Eden Park.