New Zealand's Kane Williamson retires from T20Is: Decoding his stats
What's the story
New Zealand's veteran batter Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20I cricket. The decision comes just four months ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. The former Kiwi captain confirmed his retirement on November 2, saying he would continue to play Test and ODI cricket. Williamson is New Zealand's second-highest run-scorer in T20Is with 2,575 runs in 93 matches at an average of over 33.
Statement
'Right time for me'
"It's something that I've loved being a part of for a long period of time, and I'm so grateful for the memories and experiences," Williamson said in an official statement. "It's the right time for me and the team. It gives the team clarity for the series moving forward and ahead of their next major focus, which is the T20 World Cup."
Runs
Second-most T20I runs for NZ
According to ESPNcricinfo, Williamson finished as the second-highest run-scorer for New Zealand in T20I cricket. Williamson, who is among the most technically sound batters, racked up 2,575 runs from 90 T20I innings at an average of 33.44. The right-handed batter has a strike rate of 123.08. He primarily operated as an anchor in the format. Williamson also scored 18 half-centuries.
Captaincy record
Williamson led New Zealand in 75 T20Is
Williamson led New Zealand in 75 T20Is, taking the team to the 2016 and 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals, as well as a final appearance in 2021. Under him, the Black Caps won 39 and 34 matches (Tied: 1, NR: 1). No other player has led NZ in even 40 T20Is. Williamson hammered an incredible 85 (48) while leading NZ against Australia in the 2021 T20 World Cup final, albeit in a losing cause.
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Over 2,000 runs as captain
Williamson is one of only four players with over 2,000 T20I runs as captain, the others being Pakistan's Babar Azam (2,642), Australia's Aaron Finch (2,236), and UAE's Muhammad Waseem (2,182). He scored 2,153 runs at 33.64 while leading the Black Caps.
Information
Joint-highest individual score in T20 WC finals
According to ESPNcricinfo, Williamson has the joint-highest individual score in T20 World Cup finals with West Indies' Marlon Samuels (85* vs England, 2016). The former scored a 48-ball 85 against Australia in the 2021 final.