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New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 Internationals, drawing the curtain on a distinguished 93-match career in the shortest format — just four months before the next ICC T20 World Cup. The 35-year-old steps away as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in men’s T20Is, with 2,575 runs at an average of 33, including 18 half-centuries and a highest score of 95. Since making his debut in 2011, Williamson captained the side in 75 games, leading the BlackCaps to two World Cup semi-finals (2016 and 2022) and the final in 2021. ‘The right time for the team and for me’ Confirming his decision, Williamson said he felt this was the right moment to make way for the next generation.“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. “It’s the right time for myself and the team. It gives the group clarity for the series moving forward and ahead of their next major focus, which is the T20 World Cup.” Praising his successor, he added, “There’s so much T20 talent there and the next period will be important to get cricket into these guys. 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.” Transitioning into the next phase Williamson had already relinquished the white-ball captaincy to Mitchell Santner following New Zealand’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. In recent months, he has become selective with his national commitments, balancing his international career with franchise cricket and family life. He opted out of the Chappell–Hadlee T20I series against Australia and also missed matches against England due to a groin injury. His return to white-ball cricket came only during the recent ODI series against England, marking his first appearance since the Champions Trophy final. The veteran has said he remains open-minded about his future in ODIs and Tests. “I’ve got such deep care for this team. The BlackCaps is a special place — a journey and a pursuit I love about the international game,” he noted. Upcoming domestic and Test commitments Williamson’s next appearance is expected for Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield clash against Auckland at Bay Oval starting November 26. His immediate international focus, however, will be the three-Test series against West Indies, beginning December 2 in Christchurch. NZC pays tribute to a modern great New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Scott Weenink paid glowing tribute to Williamson’s immense contribution to the national side.“Kane’s performances as a player and his service as captain of the T20 side have been nothing short of immense,” Weenink said. “His runs in all conditions reflect the world-class batsman that he is, and his leadership on and off the field has been equally inspiring.” Weenink recalled Williamson’s knock of 85 in the 2021 T20 World Cup final, calling it “one of the most special T20I innings by a New Zealander.” He added that the T20 team achieved great consistency and success under his captaincy and that he leaves the side “in good health.” “Kane has earned the right to decide how and when he finishes his ODI and Test careers,” Weenink said. “We would love to see him play for as long as possible, but whenever he does retire, he will go down as a legend of New Zealand cricket.” A legacy of class and consistency Williamson, who will continue to play T20 franchise cricket, remains New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer across formats — a testament to his consistency, technique, and calm leadership. As one of the most respected figures in world cricket, his T20I retirement marks the end of an era defined by grace, grit, and greatness in BlackCaps history.
