Kane Williamson steps down as New Zealand captain but 'very passionate' about 'helping push team forward'
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Published 19/06/2024 at 08:09 GMT
New Zealand will be appointing a new captain for their white-ball teams after Kane Williamson declined to take up a central contract for the 2024/25 season. Williamson's decision comes after New Zealand crashed out at the group stage of the T20 World Cup. Williamson can still play for New Zealand, who host a three-Test series against England later this year.
Kane Williamson
Image credit: Getty Images
Kane Williamson has stepped down as captain of New Zealand’s white-ball teams, having declined to take up a central contract for the 2024/25 season.
The news comes after the Black Caps crashed out at the group stage of the T20 World Cup.
Williamson, 33, has been a key player for New Zealand over the last decade as they have been runners-up at two 50-over World Cups (2015 and 2019) and the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Williamson's decision will enable him to pursue offers to play abroad.
"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) statement.
"However, pursuing an overseas opportunity during the New Zealand summer means I'm unable to accept a central contract offer."
Despite declining a central contract, Williamson can still play for New Zealand, who host a three-Test series against England later this year.
"Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished," said Williamson, who is New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test cricket with 8,743 runs.
"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."
NZC CEO Scott Weenink called Williamson New Zealand's "greatest ever batter" and hopes he will still play a “major role” for the Black Caps.
"This is a good way to help keep Kane in the international game so that he continues to play a major role for the Blackcaps - both now and in the years to come," he said.
"We have very little international cricket in New Zealand through January and outside that period he's still available for the Blackcaps. NZC has a strong preference to select centrally contracted players for the Blackcaps.
"However, we're happy to make an exception for our greatest ever batter - especially as he remains so committed to the team. I know it sounds a bit counter-intuitive, but I'm very encouraged by this development."
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