Last Updated on 4 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
Kane Williamson, one of cricket’s fab four spanning over a decade, has announce his retirement from international cricket effective immediately. Widely considered New Zealand’s greatest batter, Williamson amassed 19,346 international runs, including 9,515 at 54.06 in Test cricket.
Williamson opted to retire midway through New Zealand’s three-match series in England. It is the nation where both his greatest heartbreak and triumphs took place, falling agonisingly short in the 2019 ODI World Cup Final before leading New Zealand to the World Test Championship (WTC) Title in 2021.
“I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time,” Williamson said in a statement via New Zealand Cricket.
“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. Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.
“I leave feeling optimistic about where this group is heading. There’s a huge amount of talent, and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team. 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.”
Williamson’s 9,515 Test runs is the most for New Zealand in the format. He also achieved the fourth-most runs for the Black Caps in ODIs (7,256) with the highest average (48.69) of any player with at least 3,000 runs (next-best for New Zealand is Daryl Mitchell with an average of 58.47 for his 2,690 runs). The former captain won player of the tournament in the 2019 World Cup, hitting 578 runs at an average of 82.57.
Williamson also finishes with the second-most T20I runs for New Zealand (2,575) behond only Martin Guptill’s 3,531.
Fans provide tributes for Kane Williamson after NZ great announces retirement from international cricket
Williamson began his international career in 2010, making an immediate impression. He struck a century in just his fourth ODI innings, against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Less than a month later, he notched up 131 off 299 balls on Test debut against India in Hyderabad.
It was the start of a very prolific career across formats.
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