New Zealand cricket legend Kane Williamson has officially announced his retirement from T20 internationals, marking the end of an iconic era for the Black Caps’ batting maestro. Williamson said his decision was made to bring “clarity” to the team ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The 35-year-old departs the shortest format as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 2,575 runs in 93 T20Is at an impressive average of 33.4, including 18 half-centuries.
Williamson’s leadership in T20 cricket remains unmatched—he guided New Zealand to the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup, where his magnificent 85 runs went in vain against Australia, and also led his side to semi-final finishes in 2016 and 2022.
Earlier this year, Williamson stepped down from captaincy in both limited-overs formats after signing a “casual contract” with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), allowing him to select matches based on his schedule.
Speaking about his retirement, Williamson said,
“It’s the right time for me and for the team. This gives New Zealand the clarity they need as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. There’s immense talent in our ranks, and the next phase will be crucial for nurturing it.”
Williamson, who has opted out of the upcoming home T20 series against the West Indies, will also skip the ODI series but confirmed his participation in the three-match Test series in December, where he will look to add to his record 9,276 Test runs—the most by any New Zealand cricketer.
New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink praised Williamson’s contribution, stating,
“Kane has earned the right to decide how he wants to manage his international career. We would love to see him continue as long as possible, but whenever he retires completely, he’ll forever be remembered as one of New Zealand’s greatest players.”
With this announcement, Williamson closes one glorious chapter of his cricketing journey, leaving behind a legacy of calm leadership, consistency, and unmatched class in the shortest format of the game.