New Zealand’s most prolific scorer and arguably the greatest batsman of all time has announced his immediate retirement.
Published June 12, 2026
Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a 16-year career that saw him win numerous accolades and captain the team to the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.
The 35-year-old batsman made his debut in the longest match format against India in Ahmedabad in November 2010 and has played a total of 110 Tests, scoring 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06.
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He is New Zealand’s all-time leading international run-scorer with 19,346 runs across all formats, including 48 centuries and six double centuries. He will not take part in the ongoing Test series against England.
“I have always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket and I am proud that I have given my all in every match I have played for New Zealand,” Williamson said in a statement on Friday.
“It’s not right for me to continue doing this any longer and I feel lucky to be able to leave on my own terms.
“I leave feeling optimistic about where this group is going. There’s a huge amount of talent and a strong desire to do something special with this New Zealand team.”
Williamson led the Kiwis as captain in each format from 2016 to 2024. He led the Test team for 40 matches and led the team to the title in the 2021 World Test Championship by defeating India in the final.
He won 22 Tests and scored 1100 points as captain before retiring as captain in 2022.
Williamson’s list of honors includes being named ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2015 and Test Player of the Year in 2019, as well as winning the Sir Richard Hadley Medal on a record four occasions.
