{"id":179625,"date":"2026-06-12T05:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T10:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179625"},"modified":"2026-06-12T05:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T10:34:11","slug":"kane-williamson-retires-from-international-cricket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179625","title":{"rendered":"Kane Williamson retires from international cricket"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71093158\">New Zealand\u2019s most prolific all-format run-scorer and widely regarded as one of the country\u2019s greatest-ever batters, Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.<\/p>\n<p>Williamson\u2019s decision brings the curtain down on a remarkable 16-year international career, during which he represented New Zealand in 378 matches across formats. The 35-year-old finishes as New Zealand\u2019s all-time leading international\u00a0run-scorer with 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double-centuries.<\/p>\n<p>Having made his BLACKCAPS debut in 2010 and retired from T20 Internationals in November, Williamson said the time had come to step away from international cricket altogether.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it\u2019s become clear that now is the right time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I gave it everything in every match I played for New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cContinuing with anything less wouldn\u2019t be right, and I feel fortunate to be able to step away on my own terms.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI leave feeling optimistic about where this group is heading. There\u2019s a huge amount of talent and a genuine desire to achieve something special with this New Zealand team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a team I love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it for so long. It will always hold a special place in my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"sub_head\">Decorated skipper<\/h4>\n<p>Williamson\u2019s legacy extends well beyond his batting achievements, with the right-hander also enjoying a highly successful stint as New Zealand captain across all three formats.<\/p>\n<p>He led the BLACKCAPS in 40 Tests, recording 22 wins, 10 losses and eight draws, making him the country\u2019s second-most successful Test captain behind Stephen Fleming\u2019s 28 victories. In ODIs, Williamson captained New Zealand in 91 matches, winning 46, while his 39 victories from 75 T20Is remain the most by any New Zealand captain.<\/p>\n<p>Under Williamson\u2019s leadership, New Zealand enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its cricketing history. He guided the team to the semifinals of the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, the final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England, and memorably led the side to victory in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>The BLACKCAPS also reached the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE, the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, and the semifinals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.<\/p>\n<p>Individually, Williamson\u2019s achievements earned him recognition as one of the game\u2019s premier players. He was named Player of the Tournament at the 2019 ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup and ICC Test Player of the Year the same year.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"sub_head\">Other records and accolades<\/h4>\n<p>In 2016, he became the fastest and youngest player in history to score centuries against all major Test-playing nations<\/p>\n<p>Sir Richard Hadlee Medal &#8211; 2015-16, 2016-17, 2019 and 2020<\/p>\n<p>Scored a century on Test debut v India Ahmedabad 2010<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jun 12, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/kane-williamson-retires-from-international-cricket-new-zealand-cricket-news\/article71093158.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Zealand\u2019s most prolific all-format run-scorer and widely regarded as one of the country\u2019s greatest-ever batters, Kane Williamson<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":179626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-179625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-05T175748Z_1276601457_UP1EM651DWAW7_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-ENG-NZL.JPG","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":179639,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179639","url_meta":{"origin":179625,"position":0},"title":"New Zealand stalwart announces retirement &#8211; ICC","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"New Zealand stalwart announces retirement\u00a0\u00a0ICCFormer New Zealand captain Kane Williamson retires from international cricket\u00a0\u00a0BBCKane calls time! Williamson retires from test cricket\u00a0\u00a0NZ HeraldKane Williamson retires from international cricket\u00a0\u00a0CricbuzzKane Williamson: New Zealand's all-time leading run scorer announces shock retirement from international cricket\u00a0\u00a0Sky Sports Source link","rel":"","context":"In &quot;National News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/J6_coFbogxhRI9iM864NL_liGXvsQp2AupsKei7z0cNNfDvGUmWUy20nuUhkREQyrpY4bEeIBucs0-w300-rw.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":181328,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=181328","url_meta":{"origin":179625,"position":1},"title":"ENG vs NZ, 2nd Test: Henry Nicholls called up as Kane Williamson replacement","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Henry Nicholls was recalled by New Zealand on Tuesday to replace the retired Kane Williamson against England in the second Test at The Oval. Nicholls has played only two tests in two-and-a-half years, both in Zimbabwe last year, where he scored 150 not out in the second match. He has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1233298755.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1233298755.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1233298755.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1233298755.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1233298755.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":180806,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=180806","url_meta":{"origin":179625,"position":2},"title":"New Zealand needs collective effort to replace Williamson, says Rachin Ravindra","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Rachin Ravindra admits it will take a collective effort from New Zealand\u2019s batsmen to replace Kane Williamson after his shock decision to retire from international cricket. Williamson brought the curtain down on his illustrious New Zealand career following the first Test defeat against England at Lord\u2019s, leaving New Zealand with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_TH05KIWIS_2_1_LFCC5BOF.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_TH05KIWIS_2_1_LFCC5BOF.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_TH05KIWIS_2_1_LFCC5BOF.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_TH05KIWIS_2_1_LFCC5BOF.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_TH05KIWIS_2_1_LFCC5BOF.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":176098,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176098","url_meta":{"origin":179625,"position":3},"title":"ENG vs NZ, 1st Test: New Zealand\u2019s Kane Williamson glad to be back at \u2018unique\u2019 Lord\u2019s","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"New Zealand\u2019s Kane Williamson is relishing his return to Lord\u2019s as the iconic stadium stages its 150th Test when the Black Caps take on England this week. Lord\u2019s, which has staged more Tests than any other venue, is cricket\u2019s most historic arena and Williamson has no intention of taking his\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image209.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image209.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image209.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image209.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image209.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":179801,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=179801","url_meta":{"origin":179625,"position":4},"title":"Cricket world reacts to Kane Williamson\u2019s retirement \u2014 Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli pay tribute","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Kane Mama, the records will always be there, but what I will remember most is the person behind them. The calm head in the dressing room, the respect for the game, and the kindness you have shown everyone along the way. One of the finest cricketers of our generation and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-12T102232Z_1730184844_RC2TNLAZU6C3_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-NZL-WILLIAMSON.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-12T102232Z_1730184844_RC2TNLAZU6C3_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-NZL-WILLIAMSON.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-12T102232Z_1730184844_RC2TNLAZU6C3_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-NZL-WILLIAMSON.JPG?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-12T102232Z_1730184844_RC2TNLAZU6C3_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-NZL-WILLIAMSON.JPG?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026-06-12T102232Z_1730184844_RC2TNLAZU6C3_RTRMADP_3_CRICKET-NZL-WILLIAMSON.JPG?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":189235,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=189235","url_meta":{"origin":179625,"position":5},"title":"Williamson, Stokes and the many ways to matter","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In the 2023 Christchurch Test against Sri Lanka, New Zealand needed 285 on the final day. Kane Williamson kept the host in the hunt, and it eventually came down to eight runs off the final over. Williamson, already past his 27th Test century, brought the equation down to one off\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ben.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ben.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ben.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ben.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ben.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-KJb","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=179625"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179625\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/179626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=179625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=179625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=179625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}