Kane Williamson Steps Down as New Zealand Cricket Captain After 8 Years

Wellington [New Zealand], June 21: Kane Williamson, the New Zealand cricketer, has announced that he is stepping down as the captain of the national team after leading for eight years. He shared his feelings on social media, stating, “An honour and a privilege to have captained this side. After 8 years, it’s time to hand it over. Plenty of ups and downs, but all part of a wonderful journey with a great group of people. Excited for what’s next for this team and the cricket we have coming up.”

Following New Zealand’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, Williamson decided to renounce his national contract for the 2024-25 season and step down from white-ball captaincy to extend his international career. The 33-year-old cricketer mentioned that the January window has very little international cricket scheduled in New Zealand, making it a good opportunity to explore something different with his family.

Williamson emphasized that his priority remains playing for New Zealand, and he expects to miss only a few games during this period. He also mentioned the importance of managing his time effectively as he approaches his 34th birthday. Williamson expressed excitement for future major events and key series, acknowledging the support from New Zealand Cricket (NZC).