One of the greatest New Zealand cricketers, Kane Williamson, has announced his retirement from international cricket, with immediate effect on Friday. With this, Williamson has called time on his glorious 16-year-long international career where he played 378 games for his side and emerged as one of the greatest batters that the country has ever produced. Williamson retires as the all-time leading international run scorer for the Black Caps with 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double tons.
Throughout his career, Williamson led the side to several laurels including the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final and the finals of the 2019 World Cup as well as the 2021 T20 World Cup. Not only this, but he was also a part of the New Zealand squad that finished as runners-up at the 2015 Cricket World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Williamson made his international debut in 2010 and went on to represent New Zealand in multiple editions of the World Cups. The 35-year-old made his full-time captaincy debut in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 in India. Notably, the Kiwi made his ODI as well as Test debuts against India. In his first ODI game, he was dismissed off a nine-ball duck and in the Test game, he scored 131 off 299 in the first innings.
It’s a team I love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of: Kane Williamson
“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 said in a video posted by BLACKCAPS on Instagram.
“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.
Notably, the former New Zealand skipper retired with 9515 runs from 195 innings in Test cricket, and 7256 runs in 167 ODI innings. He had already announced retirement from T20I cricket with 2575 runs in 93 games.
