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New Zealand great Kane Williamson announces shock retirement from international cricket

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.

Williamson, his nation’s leading Test run-scorer, featured in the first match of the three-Test series against England at Lord’s but will play no further part in the tour.

The 35-year-old made nearly 10,000 runs and 33 hundreds in 16 years as a Test cricketer, and captained the side in 40 matches, including to World Test Championship triumph in 2021.

In white-ball cricket, he led the team to the final of the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups.

“I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time,” Williamson said.

“I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand.

“Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms. I leave feeling optimistic about where this group is heading. There’s a huge amount of talent, and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team.

“It’s a team I love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it for so long. It will continue to be dear to my heart.”

In all, Williamson made 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double-centuries, since being given his Blackcaps debut in 2010.

Kane Williamson is widely regarded as New Zealand's greatest ever batter (Getty)

Widely regarded as the greatest batter his nation ever produced, Williamson was part of the “Fab Four” batters who defined an era of Test cricket along with England’s Joe Root, Australia’s Steve Smith and India’s Virat Kohli, who announced his own Test retirement last year.

While Williamson had spoke openly about uncertainty over his future since turning down a central contract with New Zealand last year, the timing of his announcement nonetheless comes as a surprise with two more Tests against England to come at the Oval and Trent Bridge.

His departure leaves a sizeable hole in the batting order ahead of the second Test, which starts on Wednesday 17 June. New Zealand intend to call up a replacement in due course, though both Henry Nicholls and Will Young have plenty of international experience and are already with the squad.

Opener Devon Conway also flew home between the first and second Tests to attend the birth of his second child, though is expected to feature at the Oval.

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