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Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has expressed his desire to continue playing until the 2027 World Cup as he prepares for his comeback in the three-match one-day international series against England starting on Sunday. The 35-year-old has not played for New Zealand since their Champions Trophy final defeat to India in March but will be part of the team facing the tourists at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. “Not (looking) too far ahead,” Williamson said when asked about his plans beyond the upcoming season. “At the back of my mind, there’s probably the ODI World Cup. There are always other things. Test cricket is pretty dear to me as well. “Really, it’s a little bit about what I want, and a little bit more about what the team wants and where it’s going and what we’re buying into. Keeping those lines of communication open to ensure we’re focused and clear on what it looks like, but also being really respectful of the fact that this is a team in a special place. “They’re always trying to build towards something, so for me, in this phase of my career, if I’m there and able to add to it, brilliant,” he added. Williamson captained New Zealand in 41 of his 105 Test appearances and in 91 of his 173 ODI matches, and he has endorsed current Test captain Tom Latham and one-day skipper Mitchell Santner. “I played a little with Santner in the one-dayers in the Champions Trophy, and he has a really astute cricketing brain,” said Williamson. “Calm, cool sort of character, so looking forward to playing alongside him again. “In the Tests, with Tommy Latham, he’s done the job a number of times over the years, and now it’s his own, and he’s doing a fantastic job. He’s incredibly organised and passionate about the group and about Test cricket. It’s great he’s at the helm.”
