Kane Williamson Calls Time on T20 International Career, Shifts Focus to Test Cricket

 The legendary Black Caps captain, who led New Zealand to three T20 World Cup semi-finals, retires from the shortest format to pave the way for new talent ahead of the next World Cup.

Veteran batsman Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international Twenty20 cricket, marking the end of an era for New Zealand’s T20 side.

The 35-year-old, one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever players, ends his T20I career after 93 matches. He captained the Black Caps in 75 of those games, steering the team to notable successes including the 2021 T20 World Cup final and semi-final appearances in 2016 and 2022.

In a statement, Williamson expressed his gratitude for his time in the format. “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,” he said.

He emphasized that the decision was made with the team’s future in mind. “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. There’s so much T20 talent there and the next period will be important to get cricket into these guys.”

Williamson retires as New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in T20 internationals, amassing 2,575 runs with 18 half-centuries. His knock of 85 in the 2021 World Cup final against Australia, though in a losing cause, is remembered as one of his finest innings.

While stepping away from T20Is, Williamson remains committed to the Black Caps in other formats. New Zealand Cricket confirmed that, despite no longer holding a central contract, he is open to playing One-Day Internationals and will definitely feature in the three-Test series against the West Indies in December.

Paying tribute, NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink said, “Kane’s performances as a player and his service as captain of the T20 side have been nothing short of immense. His runs in all conditions around the world reflect the world-class batsman that he is and are equally matched by the influence of his leadership.”