Kane Williamson retires from T20 internationals
Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 internationals, ending a 93-match career in the format just four months before the next T20 World Cup.
The 35-year-old finishes as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in men’s T20Is, with 2,575 runs at an average of 33, including 18 half-centuries and a top score of 95. Since his debut in 2011, Williamson has led New Zealand in 75 matches, guiding them to two T20 World Cup semi-finals (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. It's the right time for myself and the team. It gives the team clarity for the series moving forward and ahead of their next major focus which is the T20 World Cup. There's so much T20 talent there and the next period will be important to get cricket into these guys and get them ready for the World Cup. Mitch [Santner] is a brilliant captain and leader, he's really come into his own with this team. It's now their time to push the BlackCaps forward in this format and I'll be supporting from afar," Williamson said.
Williamson had already handed over the white-ball captaincy to Mitchell Santner after New Zealand’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Since then, he has been more selective about when he plays for the national team, trying to balance international cricket with his franchise commitments and time with his young family.
Kane Williamson retires from T20Is, backs Santner to lead New Zealand’s next phase
He skipped the recent T20 series against Australia and missed the England games due to a groin injury. His return to white-ball cricket came only during the recent ODI series against England, his first since the Champions Trophy final.
Williamson has also said he’ll keep an open mind about his future in other formats as he enters the later stages of his remarkable career. Williamson's next appearance is likely to come for Northern Districts in their Plunket Shield clash against Auckland at Bay Oval, starting November 26. His immediate focus, however, is on the three-Test series against West Indies beginning December 2 in Christchurch.
"I've got such deep care for this team. The BlackCaps is a special place and one you want to give yourself to and get the most out of yourself for. It's a journey and a pursuit, and that's what I love about the international game and this environment. I'll continue to keep the lines of communication open with Rob [Stead] and NZC who have given me a huge amount of support throughout," he said.
NZC CEO praises Williamson’s immense impact and leadership
NZC CEO Scott Weenink lauded Williamson's contribution to New Zealand cricket, calling his impact "immense."
"Kane's performances as a player and his service as captain of the T20 side have been nothing short of immense. His runs in all conditions reflect the world-class batsman that he is and are equally matched by the influence of his leadership on and off the field. His knock of 85 in the T20 World Cup final was one of the more special T20I innings played by a New Zealander, albeit in a losing cause. The T20 team experienced great consistency and success under Kane's watch and he certainly leaves the team in good health," Weenink said.
Weenink added that Williamson had earned the right to decide how he concludes his ODI and Test careers. "We've made it clear to Kane he has our full support as he reaches the back end of his illustrious career," he said. "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."