Kane Williamson announces retirement from international cricket

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New Delhi: New Zealand’s leading all-format run-scorer and widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest batters, Kane Williamson on Friday announced his immediate retirement from international cricket.

The 35-year-old’s decision takes immediate effect and means he will play no further part in New Zealand’s ongoing Test series in England.

“I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time. I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand. Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms,” Williamson’s statement read.

“I leave feeling optimistic about where this group is heading. There’s a huge amount of talent, and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team. It’s a team I love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it for so long. It will continue to be dear to my heart,” he added.

Williamson’s list of accolades is immense, including being named the ICC Cricketer of 2015 and Test player of 2019, while also winning the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal on a record four occasions.

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Williamson is one of New Zealand cricket’s most decorated players. He holds the record for the most international runs for New Zealand with 19,346, along with the most international centuries (48) and double-centuries (6). Williamson ranks sixth in international appearances with 378 matches and has scored the most Test runs (9,515) for New Zealand, including 33 centuries and six double-centuries, making him the first player to score centuries in four consecutive Test matches.

In ODIs, he has the fourth most runs (7,256) and centuries (14), while in T20Is he is second in runs (2,575). Williamson also boasts the highest Test batting average for New Zealand at 54.06 (minimum 20 games), the second highest ODI average at 48.69, and the third highest T20I average at 33 (minimum 5 games). Additionally, he has taken the fourth most international catches (217) and is equal first with Tom Latham and Tim Southee for the most Test wins (47).

As a captain, Williamson has led New Zealand in 40 Tests, registering 22 wins, 10 losses, and 8 draws, second only to Stephen Fleming, who has 28 wins from 80 Tests. In ODIs under his leadership, New Zealand recorded 46 wins, 40 losses, 1 tie, and 4 no-results, again second to Fleming’s 98 wins from 218 ODIs.

He holds the record for the most T20I wins by a New Zealand captain with 39 victories in 75 matches. Williamson’s captaincy highlights include reaching the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup semi-final in India, the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final in England, winning the 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final in England, the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup Final in UAE, the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup semi-final in Australia, and the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final in India.

Also Read: Kane Williamson Eyes ODI World Cup 2023 Return Despite Challenges In Recovery

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