Kane Williamson Declines New Zealand Central Contract for 2024-25, Steps Down from White-Ball Captaincy

The captain of New Zealand’s T20I and ODI teams, Kane Williamson, has turned down a central contract for 2024–2025. In order to continue his international career, he will also relinquish his position as white-ball captain.

Williamson stated in a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) release, “I’m very passionate about helping the team push forward across the formats and something I want to keep contributing towards.” “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 stated. But my life has altered away from cricket. What matters even more to me is spending more time with my family and having adventures with them both domestically and overseas.”

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.

Also Read: New Zealand Clinches Historic Test World Championship Victory Over India (2019-21 Circle)

A T20 league showdown is scheduled for January 2025, involving the UAE’s ILT20, South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s BBL, and Bangladesh’s BPL. It is anticipated that the BBL would extend through January 26 even though ILT20 is scheduled to start on January 11. The dates of the SA20 are scheduled for January 9–February 8. Super Smash in New Zealand can also be on at the same time. The ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host, will take place after all of that and is scheduled to begin on February 19.

According to NZC CEO Scott Weenink, the “greatest ever batter” in New Zealand has earned the right to pursue other interests, like raising a family.

“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 stated. “He’s still eligible for the Blackcaps after January, when we have very little international cricket in New Zealand. When choosing players for the Blackcaps, NZC strongly prefers to use players under central contract.

But since he’s still so dedicated to the team, we’re glad to make an exception for our best hitter ever. Although it may seem a little strange, I’m quite encouraged by this growth.”

The 33-year-old fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who has participated in 42 T20Is, 65 ODIs, and a Test, has also stated that he will not be taking a central contract offer. With final T20 World Cup numbers of 4-4-0-3 against PNG, he became the first bowler to bowl four maidens in a men’s T20I and only the second bowler overall.