Tag: Kane Williamson

Batting great Kane Williamson says a changed “life situation” will reduce his availability for New Zealand as he prepares for his first international match since March.

Former captain Williamson will take part in the three-match ODI series against England starting in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, having been unavailable for New Zealand in any format since they lost the final of the Champions Trophy against India in March.

In that period, the 35-year-old, arguably his country’s finest batsman, missed a Test series in Zimbabwe and the home T20I series this month against Australia and England.

Speaking ahead of the England series, Williamson said his international availability is limited by a desire to spend more time with his young family, as well as play in lucrative professional leagues.

“As your life situation changes, as mine has, the balance between where you spend your time and give your attention is really, really important,” Williamson told New Zealand Cricket.

“So still being able to play for New Zealand and play the sport that I love at the highest level is great. But the balance is the most important thing for me.”

Since his debut in 2010, Williamson has scored 9,276 Test runs at an average of 54.88 to be comfortably New Zealand’s most prolific batter.

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He has gradually reduced his commitments over the last two years, relinquishing the captaincy in all formats. His “casual” contract with the national body requires him to commit to only certain series and tournaments.

Kane Williamson has spent much of this year in England, where he was captain of London Spirit in the men’s Hundred competition, as well as playing for Middlesex.

He is yet to play under new national coach Rob Walter, but has spoken with him extensively about availability.

“It’s just an ongoing communication with New Zealand Cricket and with Rob, and I’m grateful for that,” Williamson said.

“It’s a lot about the balance, with family and time away, but also the delicate balance of being a part of this team that I’ve really loved and enjoyed for such a long period of time.”

Williamson is one of five Black Caps on casual playing agreements with New Zealand Cricket, including Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert.

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Veteran batter Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the upcoming home T20I series against England as he continues to recover from a minor medical issue, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Sunday.

The 35-year-old, who last represented the Black Caps in the Champions Trophy final against India in March, is expected to be available for the subsequent ODI series against the same opposition later this month.

Williamson, currently on a casual NZC contract, had earlier opted out of the T20I series against Australia and the Zimbabwe tour to fulfil county commitments with Middlesex in The Hundred.

Head coach Rob Walter revealed that Williamson’s recovery required a bit more time, emphasizing that the decision was precautionary.

“He’s obviously a world-class player, and we’re hoping these two weeks will ensure he’s ready for the ODIs against England and the following tour by the West Indies,” Walter said in a statement.

In Williamson’s absence, Mitchell Santner returns from abdominal surgery to lead the side.

However, New Zealand have been dealt a fresh setback with fast bowler Ben Sears ruled out due to a left hamstring tear sustained in training. Sears is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

Rachin Ravindra, who missed the T20I series against Australia after suffering a facial injury during fielding practice, makes his comeback.

New Zealand’s injury list remains lengthy, with Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) all unavailable.

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With wristspinner Ish Sodhi missing out, Ravindra joins Santner and Michael Bracewell as part of the spin trio. Mark Chapman could also offer part-time left-arm spin if required.

Walter praised Santner’s leadership and welcomed Ravindra’s return.

“It’s great to have Mitch back. He’s not only our leader but also one of the best white-ball spinners in the world. Likewise, it’s nice to welcome back Rachin, who was unlucky to miss out on Australia and is really excited for this series,” he said.

Veteran allrounder Jimmy Neesham, who recently turned 35, keeps his spot after impressing with figures of 4 for 26 in the third T20I against Australia.

Neesham reiterated his ambition to represent New Zealand at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

“I want to win a World Cup for New Zealand, and that’s the reason I’m still playing,” Neesham said. “Selection ahead of the tournament is out of my hands, but I’ll stay ready and perform when called upon.”

The three-match T20I series against England begins at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on October 18, with the second fixture at the same venue on October 20.

The final match will be played in Auckland, followed by the ODI series from October 26 to November 1, where Williamson could mark his return at his home ground, Bay Oval.

New Zealand T20I Squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk).

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AUCKLAND: New Zealand have named a 15-member squad, excluding ace batter Kane Williamson, for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, slated to commence from July 30 in Bulawayo.

The squad, which is not part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), features some new faces alongside the return of several experienced players.

Among the notable absentees from the squad are Black Caps stalwart Williamson and off-spinner Michael Bracewell.

Kane Williamson is unavailable for the series due to his county commitments. Following his stint with Middlesex, the batting maestro will feature in the Hundred, representing the London Spirit.

Meanwhile, Bracewell, who is currently featuring in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA, will also feature in the Hundred. The off-spinner is picked by Southern Brave for £200,000 according to a statement given by New Zealand Cricket board.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter shed light on both players’ absence from the squad, noting that he respects the duo’s decision.

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Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process,” Walter said.

He added, stating that, “While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact that these Tests aren’t part of the ICC World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion.”

The new-look pace attack of New Zealand will be spearheaded by Matt Henry, while Will O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, and Matthew Fisher will provide ample support with raw pace.

The 25-year-old Fisher has been added to the New Zealand squad for the first time, as Kyle Jamieson, who is awaiting the birth of his first child, is unavailable. Apart from Jamieson, Ben Sears is also not available due to an injury.

Henry Nicholls has returned to the Test squad after two years on the back of excellent domestic form, while left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel is also in the squad after returning from an injury.

New Zealand Test squad

Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young

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Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has expressed his admiration for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), stating that he is impressed by the talent and depth in the league. 

The seasoned right-hander, who joined Karachi Kings after being picked in the supplementary category, spoke about his experience in PSL during an exclusive interview with ARY News.

Kane Williamson expressed his joy at being part of the PSL for the first time after hearing so many positive things.

“It’s great to be here and experience the PSL after seeing it from afar and heard a lot of really good things,” he said.

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Williamson lauded the talent pool in the PSL while stressing the need for Karachi Kings’ to carry on their winning momentum.

“You see the depth of quality here. So it’s great to be a part of it. We have a strong team that’s looking to keep improving, so hopefully we can do so in the remaining matches, ” he said.

The 34-year-old commented on Karachi Kings’ narrow loss against Quetta Gladiators, admitting that there are certain areas for improvement that they had worked on.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“The team largely is playing really well, and to be honest for the probably 75 per cent last game, we were right on top, and you know, there are areas we want to improve on from that game and those conversations have been had, so hopefully we can go out and put together strong performances,” said Williamson

The veteran batter also shed light on his role with the Karachi Kings, stating that his focus is on adding value wherever possible.

“My role is just like adding value wherever I can, and like I say, it’s very nice to be here, ” he concluded.

For the unversed, Karachi Kings will return to the field on May 1, facing Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The Kings will then take on Lahore Qalandars on May 4 and Peshawar Zalmi on May 8, before concluding their group stage campaign against defending champions Islamabad United on May 10.

Under the leadership of David Warner, the Kings currently sit fourth on the points table, with three wins from six matches in PSL 10.

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Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has revealed his favourite Pakistani foods while sharing his excitement about representing Karachi Kings in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

The seasoned right-hander, who joined Karachi Kings after being picked in the supplementary category during the PSL 10 draft, spoke about his experiences in Pakistan during a recent appearance on ARY News’ Bakhabar Savera.

Reflecting on his return to the country following the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Williamson said he was looking forward to donning the Karachi Kings jersey.

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“We have got Warner as captain, who I know well and have played a lot with. I am looking forward to joining him again and the other team members that we have on the side,” Kane Williamson shared.

When asked about Pakistani cuisine, the former New Zealand captain fondly mentioned biryani and paratha as his favourites.

“A favourite of mine and one that I have had on a number of occasions would be biryani. The breads over here are outstanding. You have got to be careful if you have too many of them. So, I love a bit of paratha,” he said with a smile.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The warm words of Kane Williamson have further strengthened the bond between fans and the Karachi Kings squad, with supporters excited to see the Kiwi maestro in action during the crucial second half of the tournament.

Karachi Kings will return to the field on May 1, facing Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The Kings will then take on Lahore Qalandars on May 4 and Peshawar Zalmi on May 8, before concluding their group stage campaign against defending champions Islamabad United on May 10.

Under the leadership of David Warner, the Kings currently sit fourth on the points table, with three wins from six matches in PSL 10.

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Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has recently commented on the ongoing criticism surrounding the strike rates of Pakistan’s top-order batters, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, particularly in T20 cricket.

Both Babar and Rizwan have often come under scrutiny for their relatively low strike rates during the early stages of their innings.

However, Williamson, known for his calm and measured approach to batting, offered a balanced perspective on the issue, stressing the importance of understanding one’s role within the team.

In an exclusive interview with a local sports outlet, Williamson explained that T20 cricket is all about adapting to what the team needs to win, rather than focusing solely on personal strike rates.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“It’s all about what the team requires and trying to win games for your team,” he said.

Drawing from his own experiences in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where team strategies and pitch conditions can vary significantly, Kane Williamson highlighted the adaptability needed in T20 cricket.

“As we’ve seen in the PSL, we’ve seen scores of 230, but we’ve also seen scores around 140 and 130. You have to be adaptable, and whoever you are, your role for the team is to contribute to the best performance possible,” he added.

“Sometimes it’s about scoring quickly, and other times it’s about steady accumulation — as long as it’s aimed at helping your team win.”

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The Kiwi batter also praised Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam, expressing his admiration for the elegant right-hander.

“I’ve only been here for a couple of days, so I’m still enjoying watching everybody play. But having faced Pakistan frequently over the years, I’ve always enjoyed watching Babar bat,” Williamson said.

“He’s an amazing player, and a beautiful player to watch,” he continued. “He’s one that I’ve always enjoyed,” Williamson added, highlighting the respect he has for Babar’s technical skills and overall composure at the crease.

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Former New Zealand captain and Karachi Kings player Kane Williamson has shared his thoughts on the Pakistani pacers who have impressed him the most in recent years.

While speaking during a recent interview with a sports platform, Williamson praised Pakistani pacers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, acknowledging the country’s depth in fast bowlers.

“Pakistan has always had great depth in fast bowlers, which has been a strength of their cricket. There are many threats,” he said.

“Shaheen has been incredible, especially with the new ball. Then there’s Haris Rauf, who’s been a fantastic performer for Pakistan for a long time. These two bowlers have done really well,” he added.

Kane Williamson praised Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam, stating that he has always enjoyed watching him play.

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“I’ve only been here for a couple of days, so I’m still enjoying watching everybody play. But having faced Pakistan frequently over the years, I’ve always enjoyed watching Babar bat.”

“He’s an amazing player, and a beautiful player to watch,” Williamson said. “He’s one that I’ve always enjoyed,” he remarked.

The 34-year-old shed light on the ongoing criticism of Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s strike rates in T20 cricket, emphasizing the team’s requirements in different situations.

“It’s all about what the team requires and trying to win games for your team,” he explained.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The right-handed batter emphasized the need for adaptability, mentioning that there had been both high and low scores in the PSL.

“As we’ve seen in the PSL, there have been scores of 230, but we’ve also seen scores around 140 and 130. You have to be adaptable, and ultimately, it’s about your role in the team that contributes to its best performance.”

“Whether it’s scoring quickly on some days or playing more conservatively, as long as it’s geared towards winning games for your side, that’s what’s important,” Kane Williamson concluded.

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Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson arrived in Lahore on Thursday to join the Karachi Kings squad for the ongoing season 10 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The veteran batter, who was picked by Karachi Kings in the supplementary category during the PSL 10 players draft, joined the squad at the team hotel upon arrival in the city.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

He will participate in the training session later today at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) ground to prepare for the upcoming match against the Quetta Gladiators, scheduled for Friday.

After the Gladiators match, the Karachi Kings will play against the Multan Sultans on May 1.

They will then face their arch-rivals, the Lahore Qalandars, on May 4, followed by a clash with Peshawar Zalmi on May 8.

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The group stage campaign will conclude with a match against the defending champions, Islamabad United, on May 10.

It’s worth noting that Karachi Kings, under the leadership of David Warner, have won three out of their five games in the PSL 10 so far.

Karachi Kings squad for PSL 10

David Warner (captain), Abbas Afridi, Adam Milne, James Vince, Hasan Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shan Masood, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Tim Seifert, Zahid Mahmood, Mir Hamza, Fawad Ali, Riazullah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Kane Williamson, Mohammad Nabi, Saad Baig, Ben McDermott and Mirza Mamoon.

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New Zealand star batter Kane Williamson has offered his take on the future of world batting, naming contenders for the next ‘Fab Five,’ featuring two batters from India.

The New Zealand skipper, who himself has long been part of the iconic ‘Fab Four’ alongside India’s Virat Kohli, Australia’s Steve Smith and England’s Joe Root, was recently asked to predict who could form the next such elite club.

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While the question was about naming four batters, Williamson decided to go one better, naming five.

“The five players that come to mind would be Yashasvi Jaiswal (India), Shubman Gill (India), Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand), Harry Brook (England) and Cameron Green from Australia,” Kane Williamson was quoted as saying by an Indian news website.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

The inclusion of Jaiswal and Gill, two young Indian top-order batters, doesn’t come as a surprise. Both have shown a maturity beyond their years in international cricket.

Then there’s Rachin Ravindra, the Kiwi all-rounder who made global headlines with his exploits in the ICC World Cup 2023.

From England and Australia, Harry Brook and Cameron Green round out the five, both players possessing the kind of raw ability and mental toughness that modern cricket demands.

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New Zealand star batter Kane Williamson etched his name in the record books as he left India’s Virat Kohli behind to become the second-fastest men’s cricketer to reach 7,000 ODI runs.

Williamson’s record-breaking moment came during the tri-nation series clash against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore yesterday, where he delivered a match-winning masterclass, scoring an unbeaten 133.

His knock not only guided New Zealand to a convincing six-wicket victory but also secured their place in the final.

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The former Kiwi skipper completed his 7,000 runs in just 159 innings, two fewer than Kohli, who took 161 innings to achieve the feat.

It’s worth noting that the record for the fastest to 7,000 ODI runs still belongs to South Africa’s legendary Hashim Amla, who got there in just 150 innings.

Fastest to 7,000 Runs in Men’s ODI Cricket

• Hashim Amla – 150 innings
• Kane Williamson – 159 innings
• Virat Kohli – 161 innings

New Zealand’s successful chase of 305 was the third-highest in Lahore, finishing the job with eight balls to spare. Williamson, alongside Devon Conway (97 off 107), stitched together a record 187-run stand for the second wicket—the highest-ever between New Zealand and South Africa in ODIs.

This was Williamson’s first century in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup and his second-fastest, coming off just 72 balls.

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