Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson announces retirement from international cricket after 15-year career
PTC News Desk: Kane Williamson, former New Zealand captain and the country's highest run-scorer in international cricket, announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday.
The 35-year-old batter ends an illustrious career that spanned more than 15 years. Williamson played 110 Test matches, scoring 9,515 runs at an average of 54.1, including 33 centuries and 38 half-centuries. His highest Test score was 251. He made his Test debut against India national cricket team in 2010 and also made his ODI debut during the same tour.
In One-Day Internationals, Williamson represented New Zealand in 175 matches, amassing 7,256 runs at an average of 48.7. His ODI record includes 15 centuries and 47 fifties, with a highest score of 148. His final ODI appearance came against England cricket team in October 2025.
In T20 Internationals, Williamson scored 2,575 runs in 93 matches at an average of 33.40, with a highest score of 95 and a strike rate of 123.1.
One of New Zealand's most successful captains, Williamson guided the team to victory in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final 2021 in June 2021. Later that year, he also led the Black Caps to the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.
Under his leadership, New Zealand reached the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and the 2021 T20 World Cup. He was also part of New Zealand teams that finished runners-up at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
In franchise cricket, Williamson featured for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in the IPL, where he maintained a strike rate of 125.6.
Widely regarded as one of the finest batters of his generation, Williamson leaves the international game as one of New Zealand's most accomplished cricketers and a respected leader whose calm demeanor and consistency helped shape one of the country's most successful eras in world cricket.
- With inputs from agencies
