WELLINGTON: New Zealand batting legend and former captain Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a distinguished 16-year career.
According to details, the 35-year-old has decided to retire with immediate effect, ruling himself out of the remaining two Test matches against England. Williamson was currently part of the Kiwi squad for the ongoing three-match Test series.
In his statement, Williamson said he had been considering retirement for some time, but recently felt it was the right moment to step away from international cricket.
He expressed pride in representing New Zealand throughout his career, saying he always gave his best whenever he stepped onto the field.
Williamson retires as one of New Zealand’s most successful Test batters. He scored 9,515 runs in 110 Test matches, along with 7,256 runs in One Day Internationals and 2,575 runs in T20 Internationals.
One of the highlights of his career came in 2021 when he led New Zealand to their first-ever ICC World Test Championship title. As captain, he also guided the team to multiple ICC tournament finals and semi-finals.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter paid tribute to Williamson, calling him not only a world-class cricketer but also an exemplary leader and ambassador of the game, adding that his legacy will continue to shape New Zealand cricket for years to come.