Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 International cricket, bringing down the curtain on a career that spanned 14 years and included 93 matches.
The talismanic batter, who made his debut in 2011, amassed 2,575 T20I runs at an average of 33, including 18 half-centuries and a top score of 95. His last appearance in the format came last year in Tarouba against Papua New Guinea.
“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,” said Williamson. “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.”
Of the 93 matches, Williamson led the team in 75, including two T20 World Cup semi-finals (2016, 2022) and a final in 2021. The former skipper praised current white-ball captain Mitchell Santner, saying the team is in good hands.
“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 added.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink paid tribute to one of New Zealand’s greatest players and its second-highest run-scorer in T20Is.
“Kane’s performances as a player and his service as captain of the T20 side have been nothing short of immense,” Weenink said. “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.”
Currently on a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, Williamson has opted out of the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies. Instead, the 35-year-old cricketer will prepare for the three-Test series against the same opposition, which begins in Christchurch on November 26.
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