Kane Williamson, the renowned New Zealand batsman, has made a significant decision, opting to forego a national contract for the 2024-25 season and stepping down from his role as white-ball captain. This move, announced a couple of days after New Zealand’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, prioritizes Williamson’s desire to spend more time with his family and pursue overseas opportunities.
The 33-year-old, who has been a mainstay of the Black Caps batting lineup for over a decade, explained his decision in a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) release on Wednesday, stating, “Helping push the team forward across the formats is something I’m very passionate about and something I want to keep contributing towards.” However, he added, “Pursuing an overseas opportunity during the New Zealand summer means I’m unable to accept a central contract offer.”
Williamson, who relinquished his Test captaincy in December 2022, will remain available to represent New Zealand in all three formats of the game outside of January. This period allows him to explore opportunities in various T20 leagues, including the UAE’s ILT20, South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s BBL, and Bangladesh’s BPL, which are scheduled to clash in January. He also intends to spend time with his family during this period.
“Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished,” Williamson emphasized. “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.”
New Zealand is slated to participate in eight Tests, including a tour of India and a three-match home series against England in November-December, before Christmas. While the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February-March is also on the schedule, the January window presents an opportunity for Williamson to explore other avenues.
New Zealand’s domestic Super Smash could also be scheduled during this period, but players accepting NZC central contracts are required to be available for both international and domestic competitions.
NZC CEO Scott Weenink acknowledged Williamson’s commitment to the team and expressed support for his decision. “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,” Weenink stated. “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 counterintuitive, but I’m very encouraged by this development.”
Williamson, an all-format player widely regarded as one of the greats of modern cricket, has been a cornerstone of the Black Caps batting for over a decade. He has accumulated over 350 international appearances, including 100 Tests, 165 ODIs, and 93 T20Is. His captaincy has also been instrumental in New Zealand’s success, leading the team in 40 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 75 T20Is. Under his leadership, New Zealand reached three finals – the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups, the 2021 T20 World Cup, and the inaugural World Test Championship final, which they won.
In addition to Williamson’s decision, fellow Black Caps player Lockie Ferguson has also indicated that he won’t accept a central contract offer. Ferguson, who has played a Test, 65 ODIs, and 42 T20Is, made a notable impact during the T20 World Cup, becoming only the second bowler and first in the tournament’s history to bowl four maidens in a men’s T20I. He achieved this feat against Papua New Guinea, returning with impressive figures of 4-4-0-3.
