AB rates Williamson above the rest

If Allan Border could choose one person to bat for his life, it would be Kane Williamson.

The former Australian captain paid the Black Cap the ultimate compliment on Thursday, citing Williamson's textbook technique that places him above the world's best.

"Of all the gun batsmen going around, he would be the one I'd choose to bat for my life," Border told foxsports.com.au.

"Over AB de Villiers, in front of Steve Smith, in front of Warner, in front of all of them."

At 25, Williamson has already scored 11 Test centuries, placing him in the upper echelons of high achieving youngsters, next to the likes of Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar.

At the same age, he has already scored more runs than Bradman while batting at No.3, with only South African Jacques Kallis compiling more than him.

He was also New Zealand's only resistance in the first Test against Australia at the Gabba last week, scoring a lone 140 in a first innings where no other Kiwi passed 50 and then following up with 59 in the second innings.

WATCH: Highlights of Williamson's Gabba ton

"Technically, he's probably as equipped as any of them because I think he can take that technique to all different types of pitches," Border said.

"You know, Virat Kohli got found out in England. I think Joe Root's right up there; I've got a lot of time for him.

"Steve Smith's probably there too but he's a little bit more fidgety at the crease, so sometimes that affects the visuals about how technically correct he is.

"But I think Kane Williamson, he does everything correctly technically.

"He's very still at the crease, plays all the shots. I think he's equally as comfortable against the spin and pace bowling."

Fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson conceded on Wednesday that Williamson had taken the Australians by surprise with his performance in Brisbane

"It is a bit of a surprise to me the way he played - I hadn't seen a lot of him," Johnson said.

"I knew about him (but) I didn't realise what a good player he is. He can play all of the shots. He looked good in defence and I am really looking forward to playing him out here (at the WACA) on a ground that I really enjoy bowling on and really test myself against him.

"He is obviously in very good form and he is going to go into this game with a lot of confidence.

"We can bowl better to him. If we put some good balls on him and use our short ball, then I think we are going to be in the game a bit more.

"He is definitely one who we will talk about in our team meeting today after training. He is very difficult to bowl to.

"If we build up enough good balls on him, he is going to be like any other player and nick off.

"I think it is just being a bit more patient. I think we played into his game a little bit. He is really good off the back foot as we saw and he scored some easy runs through that point region and backward point."