New Zealand's Williamson retires from internationals after stellar 16-year career

June 12 : New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson quit international cricket on Friday, ending a stellar 16-year career marked by numerous accolades and by captaining his side to the title in the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.

Williamson's departure also suggests the sun is finally setting for batting's modern "Fab Four" of India's Virat Kohli, England's Joe Root, Australia's Steve Smith and Williamson himself.

Statistically, Williamson departs as New Zealand's most prolific run-scorer, having accumulated more than 19,000 international runs and anchoring the team through its most successful era across all formats.

Williamson, who turns 36 in August, decided to step away in the middle of the series in England having scored zero and 18 in the opening test last week. 

"It does feel the right time," Williamson told reporters. "I've given everything to this team, and it has given me a lot more in return.

"When I look at the dressing room now and see the talent and the journey that this team is looking to go on, it just feels the right time for me to step away. I feel really good about it."

The former New Zealand captain finished with 9,515 runs from 110 tests that included 33 hundreds. He also played 175 ODIs and 93 T20 Internationals. 

He has not been centrally contracted since 2024, freeing him up to play franchise cricket between national duties.

Leading a team that consistently punched above its weight, his crowning achievement came in 2021 when he captained the Black Caps to victory over India in the inaugural World Test Championship final. Under his captaincy, New Zealand won 22 out of 40 tests.

However, Williamson's legacy is defined as much by his temperament in defeat as his triumphs.

His handling of the 2019 ODI