Kane Williamson to RETIRE from Test cricket? New Zealand legend drops bombshell on future plans
New Zealand managed a whopping 423-run triumph over England in the Hamilton Test, which commemorates the end of Tim Southee’s journey in Test cricket. Meanwhile, due to his exceptional century in the second innings, speculation has arisen regarding Kane Williamson’s future.
The remarkable cricketer Southee, recognized as New Zealand’s second-most successful bowler, recently hung up his Test cricket boots after an impressive run in 107 matches, claiming a staggering 391 wickets. Not just that, he also carved a niche for himself in batting, smashing a whopping 98 sixes, ranking him fourth on the global list in Test cricket.
Southee and Williamson share a long-standing camaraderie, stemming from their joint participation in the 2008 U-19 World Cup representing New Zealand. This year added another milestone to their partnership, as they jointly graced the cricket field for their 100th Test match against Australia. Southee further stepped into Williamson’s shoes as the captain of New Zealand’s Test team, providing leadership for 14 matches, only to step down before their tour to India.
When asked about his future in Test Cricket, Williamson couldn’t make any commitments to play for New Zealand again. The Kiwis, who are the 2021 World Test Champions, don’t have any matches set in the Test format for the upcoming eight months. Their next battle on the cricket field would be a short series of two Tests against Zimbabwe in July.
“It’s so far away at the moment. “I’m just focussing on right now and getting through the rest of the summer really. There’s a bunch of different cricket coming up, and Champions Trophy obviously, which is exciting. Yeah, just see how it goes… I love Test cricket. As you mention, there’s not a huge amount of it for some time, such is the schedule,” said Williamson in a press conference.
The former New Zealand skipper surprisingly turned down the central contract pitched by the New Zealand Cricket Board a year ago, prompting questions about his career ahead as anticipation builds for the coming World Test Championship (WTC) season.