Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Kane Williamson steps down as New Zealand Test captain | Who will replace Kane Williamson as NZ captain?
Kane Williamson has stepped down as New Zealand’s Test captain with immediate effect. The 32-year-old has cited increased workload as his reason behind relinquishing leadership in the longest format of the game. Seasoned pacer Tim Southee will captain the Black Caps in their upcoming tour to Pakistan and Tom Latham will be his deputy.
“Captaining the BLACKCAPS in Test cricket has been an incredibly special honour. For me, Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game and I’ve enjoyed the challenges of leading the side in the format,” Williamson mentioned in his official statement.
He added, “Captaincy comes with an increased workload on and off the field and at this stage of my career I feel the time is right for this decision.”
Williamson to continue as captain in white-ball formats, Southee the new Test captain
With the One Day International (ODI) and T20I World Cups coming up in 2023 and 2024, Williamson claimed that continuing to lead the side in white-ball cricket seemed like a preferable proposition presently. He has spoken to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) about it and expressed confidence that Southee and Latham, who will be the vice-captain in Tests, will do a good job in red-ball cricket.
Southee termed his appointment as the Test skipper as a ‘surreal feeling’ and explained that it was a massive honour to take over this role.
“I love Test cricket, it’s the ultimate challenge and I’m really excited by the opportunity to lead the team in this format. Kane’s been an outstanding Test captain and I’m looking forward to working with (coach) Gary (Stead) on how we can build on that,” Southee explained.
Williamson captained New Zealand in 40 Tests and the team emerged victorious in 22 of those matches. The Kiwis lost 10 games whereas eight of them ended in a draw. But more importantly, the side won the World Test Championship 2019-21 by defeating India in the finals in Southampton last year in his tenure.
The New Zealand-Pakistan Test series begins on 26th December at the National Stadium in Karachi.
