Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com
Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has decided to step back from T20 internationals, saying it’s “the right time for myself and the team.”
At 35, he’s gearing up for the three-Test series against the West Indies in December and will continue to play one-day internationals and T20 franchise cricket.
In his T20 international career, he scored 2,575 runs with an average of 33.44 and a strike rate of 123 across 93 matches. Only Martin Guptill, with 3,531 runs, has a higher tally for New Zealand.
As captain, Williamson led New Zealand to the T20 World Cup final in 2021, where he scored 85 in a tough loss to Australia.
“It gives the team clarity for the upcoming series and their next big goal, which is the T20 World Cup,” Williamson noted.
“There’s a wealth of T20 talent out there, and this next phase is vital for getting these players ready for the World Cup.
“Mitch [Santner] is a fantastic captain and leader – he’s really stepped up for this team.
“This is their chance to take the Black Caps forward in this format, and I’ll be cheering them on from afar.”
The T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka is set to kick off in February.
Williamson made his T20 debut for New Zealand back in 2011 but hasn’t played since June 2024.
