New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.
Williamson represented New Zealand in 110 Test matches, 175 One-Day Internationals and 93 Twenty20 Internationals during a career spanning 16 years.
The 35-year-old was a member of the New Zealand teams that reached the ICC Cricket World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019.
Williamson finished his international career as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer across all formats, amassing 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double centuries.
His retirement brings down the curtain on a distinguished international career in which he played 378 matches for New Zealand and established numerous batting records.
Williamson captained New Zealand in all three formats between 2016 and 2024, guiding the side to two ICC Cricket World Cup finals, three semi-finals and the ICC World Test Championship title in 2021.
After making his international debut in 2010 and stepping away from Twenty20 Internationals last year, Williamson said the time had come to leave international cricket.
He said it had become clear that now was the right time to step aside after giving everything he could to representing New Zealand.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter paid tribute to Williamson, describing him as a special player, an outstanding leader and one of the finest ambassadors for the sport.
Former New Zealand captain Sir Richard Hadlee also praised Williamson's contribution, saying he would be remembered as one of the leading cricketers of his generation and the architect of some of the country's greatest achievements in the game.
Williamson's retirement means he will take no further part in New Zealand's ongoing Test series in England. A replacement player is expected to be named in due course.
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