Image Credit- getty
In what could prove to be a watershed moment in the current landscape of New Zealand Cricket, the captain of New Zealand’s T20I and ODI teams, Kane Williamson, has turned down a central contract for 2024–2025. To continue his international career, he will also relinquish his position as white-ball captain.
“Helping push the team forward across the formats is something I’m very passionate about and something I want to keep contributing towards,” Williamson said in a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) release. “However, pursuing an overseas opportunity during the New Zealand summer means I’m unable to accept a central contract offer.”
This season, New Zealand plays virtually little cricket at home, particularly in January. Before Christmas, they have eight Test matches scheduled, which will include a trip of India and a three-match home series against England in November and December. Tim Southee was named as Williamson’s replacement when the 33-year-old gave up the Test captaincy prior to the 2018 season.
Williamson reaffirmed his commitment to New Zealand and said he was open to taking a contract in the future, even though he declined a central contract.
“Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished,” he said. “My life outside cricket has changed, however. Spending more time with my family and enjoying experiences with them at home or abroad is something that’s even more important to me.”
The news follows New Zealand’s dismal performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, when they were unable to get past the round of 32 in a men’s World Cup for the first time since 2014. Williamson hinted to his potential T20I career by stating, “Oh, I don’t know.” “We’ll see where things end up,” he said in response to a question on his involvement in the 2026 T20 setup for New Zealand.
Williamson has 93 T20I caps and 165 ODI caps in addition to having played in his 100th Test earlier this year. His outstanding record was crowned by his team’s final appearances in the World Test Championship 2021 (which they won), the ODI World Cup 2019 (which they lost via a Super Over), and the T20 World Cup 2021 (lost to Australia). He led New Zealand in 40 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 75 T20Is.