New Zealand’s best batsman has identified the heir to his cricketing throne.

Martin Crowe, who is fighting cancer for a second time, says Kane Williamson has it in him to be the best the country has produced.

“We’re seeing the dawn of our greatest-ever batsman,” he told reporters the day after the 24-year-old scored an unbeaten 242 to set up the Black Caps for a 193-run win in the second Test against Sir Lanka.

His sentiments were echoed by captain Brendon McCullum after hailing the player who became the fastest New Zealander to 3000 Test runs.

“It’s hard to put this on his shoulders while the guy is so young, but I firmly believe he could go down as New Zealand’s greatest ever batter.

“He’s a phenomenal talent and such a levelheaded guy.”

Williamson’s ninth Test ton drew him level with former captain Stephen Fleming at sixth on New Zealand’s all-time list behind Crowe’s record of 17.

He shared in a record-breaking sixth-wicket stand of 365 with BJ Watling and Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews said that was the winning of the match.

“It was just one player that made the difference. Kane batted brilliantly,” he said.

For McCullum, it was just nice for someone else to score heavily at the Basin Reserve after his 302 last February.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to sit back and watch him go to work.

“He was batting in my backyard the other day against my boy (Riley). I said to my boy: ‘In 10 years’ time, you’re going to appreciate how good this experience was’.

“Kane’s a phenomenal fellow and a gun player and we’ll see a lot of him in the next few years.”

Williamson’s 396 runs in the two-Test series came at an average of 198 and has taken his career-batting average to 45.96 inching him ahead of Ross Taylor.