Just four months before the upcoming T20 World Cup, Kane Williamson confirmed his retirement from T20 Internationals, capping a 93-match career in the shortest format.
Williamson, 35, finishes as the second-highest run scorer for New Zealand in men’s Twenty20 Internationals after scoring 2575 runs at an average of 33, including 18 fifties and a peak of 95. Williamson has captained the squad in 75 of those games since his debut in 2011, helping New Zealand to two ICC T20 World Cup semifinals (in 2016 and 2022) and a final in 2021.
“It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time and I’m so grateful for the memories and experiences,” Williamson stated. “For the team and myself, now is the ideal moment. It provides the team with clarity for the remainder of the series and for their next big focus, the T20 World Cup.
“The upcoming time frame will be crucial to introducing cricket to these players and preparing them for the World Cup because there is a ton of T20 potential there. Mitch [Santner] is an outstanding leader and captain who has truly blossomed with this squad. Now is their chance to advance the BlackCaps in this style, and I’ll be cheering them on from a distance.”
Following New Zealand’s early elimination from the 2024 T20 World Cup, Williamson had already given Mitchell Santner the white-ball captaincy. Since then, he has been cautious about his national appearances, juggling his international career with franchise obligations and the responsibilities of a young family.
Only during the just finished ODI series against England did Williamson, who had opted out of the recent Chappell-Hadlee T20I series against Australia and then missed the matches against England due to a groin ailment, make his first appearance in white-ball cricket since the Champions Trophy final. As he nears the end of his illustrious career, he has also promised to be open-minded regarding his future in the other formats.
Williamson’s next game is probably going to be at Bay Oval when Northern Districts play Auckland in the Plunket Shield beginning on November 26. But for now, he is concentrating on the three-Test series against the West Indies, which starts in Christchurch on December 2.
“I’ve got such deep care for this team,” he stated. “The BlackCaps is a unique environment where you want to dedicate yourself and give it your all. I adore the worldwide game and this setting since it’s a quest and a voyage. Rob [Stead] and NZC have been incredibly supportive throughout, and I will continue to stay in touch with them.”
Williamson’s contribution to New Zealand cricket was praised by NZC CEO Scott Weenink, who described his influence as “immense.”
“Kane’s performances as a player and his service as captain of the T20 side have been nothing short of immense,” Weenink stated. “His runs under all circumstances demonstrate his status as a world-class batter, and his leadership impact both on and off the field is as impressive.
“Even though it was in a losing cause, his 85-run effort in the T20 World Cup final was one of the more memorable T20I innings ever played by a New Zealander. Under Kane’s leadership, the T20 team was very successful and consistent, and he undoubtedly leaves the team in good condition.
Williamson has earned the right to choose how to wrap off his ODI and Test careers, Weenink continued. “We’ve made it clear to Kane he has our full support as he reaches the back end of his illustrious career,” he stated. “We would, of course, love to see him play for as long as possible, but there’s no doubt whenever he does decide to finally call time, he will go down as a legend of New Zealand cricket.”
Williamson is still New Zealand’s all-time top run scorer across all formats and will continue to play for the T20 franchise.
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