'King Kane' Williamson takes the crown as world No 1

McCullum and Williamson are the only New Zealanders to score more than 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year

Kane Williamson also broke two New Zealand records (AP)

Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, called him “the King” but Kane Williamson swatted aside the praise after his record-breaking century capped a five-wicket victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Hamilton.

Williamson, who was dismissed for one in the first innings at Seddon Park, provided a match-winning 108 not out in the second as the hosts chased down the 189 needed for victory and wrapped up the series 2-0.

As a result he dislodged England’s Joe Root at the top of the world Test batting rankings with 889 points to Root’s 886 and became the first New Zealander to lead the rankings. The century also saw Williamson break two New Zealand records, for most centuries and runs in a calendar year – five and 1,172 respectively. It took the 25-year-old past McCullum’s mark of 1,164 Test runs, set last year.

“It was an innings of sheer quality from the King and the rest of us were able to sit back and watch someone at the top of his game,” McCullum said.

McCullum and Williamson are the only New Zealanders to score more than 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year, though Williamson, who will end 2015 with an average of 90.15, said he did not really focus on milestones.

“It means more when you spend some time in the middle and make a larger contribution to a team performance,” Williamson said after he was named man of the match.

“The wicket wasn’t easy to bat on. It was extremely important we formulated partnerships along the way.”