Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 International (T20I) after playing 93 matches in the shortest format of the game. According to a press release from New Zealand Cricket, the 35-year-old retires as New Zealand’s second-highest men’s T20I run-scorer with 2575 runs at an average of 33, which included 18 half-centuries and a highest score of 95. Williamson, who made his T20I debut in 2011, has captained the Blackcaps on 75 occasions – leading the team to two ICC T20 World Cup semi-finals (2016 and 2022) and one final (2021). Williamson said it was the right time to move away from the shortest format.
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According to a New Zealand Cricket press release, Kane Williamson said that this is something that I have been very happy to be a part of for a long time, and I am very grateful for these memories and experiences. This is the right time for me and the team. This gives the team clarity to take the series forward and look towards their next major target, i.e. the T20 World Cup. The player added, “There is a lot of T20 talent there, and the next round will be important to ignite the cricket in these players and prepare them for the World Cup. Mitch is a fantastic captain and leader – he has really shown his potential with this team. Now is the time to push the Blackcaps forward in this format, and I will be supporting him from afar.”
Williamson’s next match for Northern Districts will be against Auckland in the second round of the Plunket Shield at the Bay Oval in Tauranga, starting on Wednesday, November 26. The Kiwis’ all-time leading run-scorer said he is open-minded about his ODI and Test future and his entire focus is on preparing for the three-Test series against West Indies, starting on December 2 in Christchurch.
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This right-handed batsman said that I care a lot about this team. The Blackcaps are a special place and you want to dedicate yourself to it and give it your best. It’s a journey and an effort, and that’s what I love about the international game and this environment. I will continue to communicate with Rob and NZC, who have supported me throughout. NZC CEO Scott Weenink said he respects Williamson’s decision and appreciates his contribution to the T20 team.