New Zealand cricket star Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 International matches.
The 35-year-old, who played 93 games in the format, said the time was right to step away so the team could plan ahead for future tournaments, including the next T20 World Cup.
Williamson began his T20I career in 2011 and quickly became one of the most reliable players for the Black Caps. He scored 2,575 runs, making him the second-highest run-scorer for New Zealand in this format. His achievements include 18 half-centuries and a highest score of 95. He also captained the team in 75 matches, leading them to two World Cup semi-finals and a final.
Although stepping back from T20Is, Williamson will still play in other formats. He will skip the upcoming limited-overs series against the West Indies to focus on a three-Test series in December. His next match is expected to be for Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield on 26 November.
Williamson said he was grateful for the memories and proud of the team’s progress. He also praised current T20 captain Mitchell Santner, saying the team was in “good hands”.
New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive, Scott Weenink, called Williamson’s impact “immense” and praised his leadership and skills. He added that Williamson has earned the right to choose when to retire from other forms of the game.
