Kane Williamson, the highly respected New Zealand captain, has announced his retirement from international cricket, effective immediately. The decision comes after a distinguished career spanning 15 years, during which he established himself as one of the modern game’s finest batsmen. Williamson departs having captained New Zealand in all three formats and leading the Black Caps to their first-ever World Test Championship title in 2021 and a joint-title win in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. He finishes with a remarkable record, including over 17,000 international runs and numerous individual accolades. While retiring from the international arena, Williamson has indicated his commitment to continuing to play franchise cricket. His final appearance for New Zealand was against Australia in March 2024.