WELLINGTON: Kane Williamson has stepped down as white-ball captain and turned down a central contract after New Zealand Cricket (NZC) failed to qualify for the Super 8 in the 2024-25 T20 World Cup.
Helping the team progress through the format is something I really enjoy and want to contribute to, but spending the summer overseas in New Zealand meant I couldn’t accept a central contract offer. Williamson said in a press release issued by the NZC.
“Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure and I still want to give back to the team.” “However, my life outside cricket has changed. Spending more time with my family and spending time with them at home or abroad is more important to me.”
Williamson stepped down as captain of the New Zealand Test team in 2022 and continued to lead the team in limited-overs cricket.
The NZC board said New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink would not select players in the central squad who are not under contract, but said they were willing to make exceptions for “the biggest heroes”.
“However, we are happy to make an exception for our top scorer, especially as he remains committed to the team. I know it’s a bit counterintuitive, but I’m encouraged by this development.”
Appointed in 2016 after the retirement of Brendon McCullum, Williamson captained the Kiwis in 40 Tests, 91 ODIs and 75 T20Is. He led the team in the T20 World Cup (2016, 2021, 2022 and 2024), the ODI Cricket World Cup (2019 and 2023) and the 2021 ICC Test World Cup, which New Zealand won.
However, Williamson and Co looked unlucky in the ICC tournament, the T24 World Cup 2024, as they failed to qualify for the Super 8 round when they lost against Afghanistan and West Indies in the group phase matches.
