New Zealand\u2019s most prolific all-format run scorer and arguably greatest ever batsman Kane Williamson has confirmed his retirement from international cricket effective immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Williamson\u2019s announcement brings an end to a glittering 16-year international career that has seen him play 378 games for his country, setting countless batting records and earning the respect and admiration of the cricketing world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 35-year-old finishes as New Zealand\u2019s all-time leading international run-scorer with 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double-centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alongside his world class numbers, Williamson\u2019s captaincy and leadership style was much admired, as he led the BLACKCAPS in all three formats during a golden period from 2016-2024, where they made two ICC World Cup Finals, three semi-finals, and won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After making his BLACKCAPS debut in 2010 and retiring from T20Is in November, Williamson said the time was now right to fully step away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it\u2019s become clear now is the right time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I\u2019ve given it my all in every match I\u2019ve played for New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cContinuing with anything less wouldn\u2019t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI leave feeling optimistic about where this group is heading. There\u2019s a huge amount of talent, and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BLACKCAPS coach Rob Walter said he had nothing but respect and admiration for Williamson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnyone who\u2019s had the privilege of working with Kane understands he is a very special player and person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlthough it\u2019s been short-lived, it\u2019s been a real privilege to watch him go about his work and listen to his thoughts and views on the team and the game itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHis numbers and batting skills speak for themselves, but it\u2019s what he means to this BLACKCAPS team, as well as world cricket – that will be his legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHis impact on the culture and standards of this team will remain embedded in its DNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKane\u2019s always put the team first and although we\u2019re disappointed to see him go, we\u2019re happy to know he\u2019s content and at peace with his decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn incredible player, awesome teammate, a wonderful leader and a fantastic ambassador for our sport.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Williamson\u2019s list of accolades is immense, including being named the ICC Cricketer of 2015 and Test player of 2019, while also winning the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal on a record four occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hadlee himself reserved special praise for the retiring BLACKCAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKane\u2019s been a wonderful player and has been a fine leader,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe’s demonstrated a willingness to continually advance his game to the highest level in all three formats and he rightfully finishes as one of the best players of his era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe way he prepared himself physically and mentally was perhaps the most impressive part. He was always committed to working hard and developing his technique to ensure he was ready to be a world class player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been an unflappable leader and the architect of some of our greatest moments in cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI commend him and thank him for everything he has contributed to cricket and wish him a happy retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Williamson\u2019s retirement means he will play no further part in the BLACKCAPS current Test series in England, with a replacement player to be confirmed in due course.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Zealand\u2019s most prolific all-format run scorer and arguably greatest ever batsman Kane Williamson has confirmed his retirement from international cricket effective immediately. Williamson\u2019s announcement brings an end to a glittering 16-year international career that has seen him play 378 games for his country, setting countless batting records and earning the respect and admiration of the…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,60],"tags":[2085,976,73,134],"class_list":["post-12024","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cricket","category-international-cricket","tag-kane-williamson","tag-new-zealand","tag-slsports","tag-sports-news"],"yoast_head":"\n