Arabic version: كين ويليامسون يعلن اعتزاله من الكريكيت الدولي

Kane Williamson, the former captain of New Zealand’s cricket team, has retired from all international cricket with immediate effect. The 35-year-old player participated in the first Test against England at Lord’s, where he scored a duck and 18 runs, but will not continue in the three-match series, which is set to resume on 17 June at The Oval.

According to BBC News, Williamson retires as New Zealand’s leading all-format run-scorer, amassing a total of 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double-hundreds, over 378 appearances between 2010 and 2026. He holds the record as the most prolific Test batter for New Zealand, with 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06 in 110 matches.

During his tenure, Williamson captained the Black Caps on 206 occasions from 2012 to 2024, guiding the team through a successful era that included winning the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021 and reaching the finals of both the 2019 World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup. In explaining his decision to retire, Williamson expressed that he had been contemplating it for a while and felt it was the right time to step away.

Head coach Rob Walter praised Williamson’s legacy and impact on the team, stating that his influence will remain embedded in the team’s culture. Former New Zealand all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee also commended Williamson as a remarkable player and leader who played a crucial role in some of the greatest moments in New Zealand cricket history. Williamson’s retirement marks the end of an era for one of cricket’s most respected figures.