New Zealand great cricketer Kane Williamson, and former captain, has summoned an end to his Twenty20 international career. On Sunday, the 35 year old affirmed that he was retiring in T20Is but made it clear that he will still represent the black Caps in test cricket beginning with the series against West Indies in December.
It was in 2011 when Kane Williamson made his T20 debut and went ahead to play 93 matches in New Zealand. In the process, he led the team in 75 matches and emerged as one of the players who shaped the contemporary team. New Zealand has reached the final of the T20 world cup under his leadership in 2021 and has also reached the semi-finals in 2016 and 2022.
Considering his choice, Kane Williamson claimed that the moment was the time to leave the shortest format. I have long been a part of it and it is something I have cherished and I am so thankful to have the memories and experience, he told me. It is the opportune moment of my team. It provides some sense of direction as they focus on the next big thing the T20 World Cup. The young talent is flowing through and this is the next stage that is important to them.
In his career in T20I, Kane Williamson has hit 2,575 runs, and 18 half-centuries. His performance was the most memorable when he made a fantastic 85 runs in the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup, but New Zealand lost to Australia.
Scott Weenink, the chief executive officer of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), has lauded Kane Williamson because of his huge contribution to the sport. Weenink said that the playing of Kane and his captaining of the team have been nothing short of tremendous. This is how the world-class cricketer and person he is are manifested in his consistency under all conditions and in his on and off field leadership.
Even though he does not have a central contract anymore, Kane Williamson is still willing to play one-day internationals in the future. In the meantime he starts thinking again about red-ball cricket, a game in which his judicative leadership and graceful batting are still the two sources of inspiration.
Weenink followed up by saying that since Kane is coming to play the West Indies Test series in December, I would like all Kiwis to come out and see one of our best ever players in action.
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