New Zealand’s star batter, Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 internationals.
He said it felt like the right moment to step aside and allow the next generation to take charge.
“It is something that I have loved being a part of for a long period of time and I am so grateful for the memories and experiences,” he said.
“It is the right time for myself and the team. It gives the team clarity for the series ahead and their next major focus, the T20 World Cup”, he added.
Weeks before announcing his retirement, the 35-year-old player posted a series of pictures on social media, showing that he is spending time with his friends and family and currently focused on his personal life.
Williamson has retired as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in men’s T20Is, amassing 2,575 runs at an average of 33, including 18 half-centuries and a top score of 95. He has played 93 T20Is for New Zealand since his debut in October 2011.
He will now play against West Indies to in Test series in December.
Williamson had already handed over the white-ball captaincy to Mitchell Santner
“Mitch is a brilliant captain and leader – he’s really come into his own with this team,” Williamson said. “It is now their time to push the Black Caps forward in this format and I will be supporting from afar.”
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO Scott Weenink paid tribute to Williamson’s contributions, calling him one of the greats of the game.
Kane Williamson’s family
Williamson has three children, two daughters and a son with wife Sarah Raheem whom he first met in 2015. Her wife is reportedly a muslim.
