Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, ending a distinguished 16-year career in the middle of New Zealand’s ongoing Test series against England.
The 35-year-old will not feature in the remaining two Tests at The Oval and Trent Bridge after making 0 and 18 in New Zealand’s defeat in the opening match at Lord’s. Kane Williamson had already stepped away from a central contract in June 2024, choosing instead to remain available for selected international assignments while balancing franchise commitments.
In a statement, Williamson said he had been considering the decision for some time but felt the moment had now arrived to step away. He said he remained proud of giving everything he had in every appearance for New Zealand and did not want to continue unless he could meet the standards he had always set for himself.
Williamson leaves as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket, with 9,515 runs in 110 matches at an average of 54.06. His finest hour came in 2021, when he captained New Zealand to victory over India in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship.
Across formats, he scored 7,256 runs in 175 ODIs and 2,575 runs in 93 T20Is, finishing among New Zealand’s leading run-makers in both white-ball formats as well.
As captain, Williamson led New Zealand in 40 Tests, 91 ODIs and 75 T20Is. Under his leadership, the side won the World Test Championship, reached the final of the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup, and made multiple semi-final appearances in global tournaments.
New Zealand coach Rob Walter described Williamson as a special player and person whose influence on the team’s culture and standards would remain part of its identity long after his retirement.
Williamson had already begun preparing for life after international cricket and took up a strategic advisor role with an IPL franchise last year. Having already retired from T20 internationals in November, he has now brought the curtain down on his full international career.
Bhai typo to theek kar le heading ka!
The corrected heading should be:
“A New Zealand Legend Announces Retirement From International Cricket”