Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday, after a 16-year career filled with many honors, including leading his team to victory in the first World Test Championship in 2021.
The 35-year-old batsman played 110 Tests overall and scored 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06. He made his debut in the longest format against India in Ahmedabad in November 2010.
With 19,346 runs, including 48 hundreds and six double-centuries in all formats, he is New Zealand’s all-time top international run scorer. He will no longer participate in the current England Test series.
“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,” Williamson said in a statement.
“Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.
“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.”
From 2016 until 2024, Williamson captained the Kiwis in all formats. After leading the Test team for 40 games, he helped them win the 2021 World Test Championship by defeating India in the championship match.
Before leaving the position in 2022, he scored 11 hundreds and won 22 Tests as captain.
Williamson’s list of honors includes receiving the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal a record four times, as well as being named the ICC Cricketer of 2015 and Test Player of 2019.
