NEW DELHI: Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has made a striking revelation about his future in international cricket.
Speaking after the fourth day of the Test against West Indies in Mount Maunganui, the 35-year-old admitted that thoughts of retirement have started to enter his mind.
“As you get to the latter stages of your career those thoughts certainly enter your mind,” Williamson said, reflecting on his long career and current priorities.
Williamson has not yet made a final decision about his Test future. He explained that his focus has gradually shifted from cricket towards spending more time with his family. Decisions about his international career are now being taken series by series.
“It’s almost series by series,” he said when describing his commitment to the Black Caps. “We’ll just cross those bridges as they come.”
The former skipper is no longer tied to a full national contract, giving him the freedom to choose when he wants to play for New Zealand. He is scheduled to travel to South Africa on Tuesday with his family to participate in the SA20 league.
Williamson’s potential return to the national side remains uncertain. New Zealand have a one-off Test against Ireland in May 2026, followed by a series against England in June, before India tour later in the year and a demanding four-Test series in Australia.
“Going to England and Australia are really mouth-watering prospects and great opportunities because they are tough tours,” Williamson said.
“I’ve been involved with a few of them before, and my position is still the same, executing that balance between family and cricket as well as I can.”
While many fans hope to see Williamson reach 10,000 Test runs, he insists milestones are not his driving force.
“I’ve never used this team for my own personal gain,” he said. “Cricket is full of stats, but you want to go out and contribute to a team you care about. Whatever runs you get aren’t really yours, they’re for the team.”
Williamson has faced a challenging period in recent years. Once a dominant force in Test cricket, he has struggled with form and consistency and now finds himself navigating a delicate balance between professional ambition and personal life.
