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Kane Williamson Retires From T20Is to Prioritize Tests

He says the timing gives selectors clarity before the 2026 World Cup, with him skipping the West Indies white-ball series.

Overview

  • The 35-year-old ends a 14-year T20I career with 93 caps, 2,575 runs and 18 fifties, having captained 75 matches and led New Zealand to the 2021 final and the 2016 and 2022 semi-finals.
  • He will remain available for red-ball cricket and is set for the three-Test home series against the West Indies starting December 2 in Christchurch.
  • Williamson framed the decision as providing selection clarity ahead of the next T20 World Cup and publicly backed Mitchell Santner to lead the white-ball side.
  • New Zealand Cricket and head coach Rob Walter voiced full support, noting Williamson’s current non-central-contract status and his open-minded stance on future ODI involvement.
  • He will stay connected to the format through franchise commitments, including a strategic-advisor role with IPL side Lucknow Super Giants.