You can never accuse Kane Williamson of making a fuss.
With a quiet press release and small media conference at 11am on Friday 12th June, New Zealand’s greatest ever batter slipped away from international cricket as he retired with immediate effect.
“I’ve thought about it for a while,” Williamson, 35, said, “but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time.
“I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand. It’s a team I love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it for so long. It will continue to be dear to my heart.
“Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.”
The timing is both peculiar and perfectly in character. The series against England still has two matches to go, with New Zealand one-nil down after a 115-run defeat at Lord’s. The Black Caps also have an historic four-match series away to Australia at the end of the year. The last time New Zealand played a series with four matches was in 1999.
But Williamson, who made his debut as a teenager in 2010, is at peace that this is the end. In 2024, he relinquished his Black Caps central contract and has been playing on a “series-by-series” basis. So while the news has long been coming, it was nevertheless still a shock when it arrived, especially mid-tour.
Williamson’s greatest success was leading New Zealand to victory in the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, where they defeated India in the final. He is New Zealand’s leading Test run scorer in history, and has walked away just 485 runs short of becoming only the 16th ever cricketer to make 10,000 Test runs. Of active players, only Joe Root (13,952) and Steve Smith (10,763) have scored more.
“Anyone who’s had the privilege of working with Kane understands he is a very special player and person,” Kiwi head coach Rob Walter said.
“His impact on the culture and standards of this team will remain embedded in its DNA.”
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In all, Williamson played 110 Tests, averaging 54.06 and scoring 33 Test centuries. In home conditions, he averaged a remarkable 65.76.
Williamson’s time in a Black Caps shirt is done. And he leaves without the fanfare of a guard of honour or with a big goodbye. Exactly as he wanted, and exactly as he chose it.
Photograph by Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP