New Delhi: Kane Williamson has declined the New Zealand central contract for the 2024-25 season and has also given up the white-ball captaincy after the Kiwis failed to qualify further at the T20 World Cup 2024. In what comes as a shocking decision to both New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and the cricket fraternity, Williamson remains steadfast in contributing towards the national cause to prolong his international career.
The 33-year-old admitted that he will be partaking in an overseas league during the New Zealand summer and hence won’t be available for the national setup during that period. Except for the committed time frame, Williamson has reaffirmed that he will be always available to play for New Zealand.
“Helping push the team forward across the formats is something I’m very passionate about and something I want to keep contributing towards. However, pursuing an overseas opportunity during the New Zealand summer means I’m unable to accept a central contract offer,” Williamson said in a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) release.
“Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished. My life outside cricket has changed however – spending more time with my family and enjoying experiences with them at home or abroad is something that’s even more important to me,” Williamson added.
NZC’s love for Kane
New Zealand Cricket prioritise picking the players who are centrally contracted but are willing to make Williamspn’s case an exception as said by CEO Scott Weenink.
“This is a good way to help keep Kane in the international game so that he continues to play a major role for the BLACKCAPS – both now and in the years to come. We have very little international cricket in New Zealand through January and outside that period he’s still available for the BLACKCAPS,” Weenink said.
“NZC has a strong preference to select centrally contracted players for the BLACKCAPS, however we’re happy to make an exception for our greatest ever batter – especially as he remains so committed to the team,” he added.
New Zealand’s debacle in T20 World Cup 2024
Under Williamson’s leadership, the Kiwis endured a first-round exit in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, which ended their stellar run in ICC white-ball tournaments in recent years. Pace spearhead Trent Boult stunned everyone announcing that it was his last T20 World Cup after the Blackcaps were eliminated. New Zealand will have to figure out a new limited-overs skipper now following Williamson’s decision, who had already relinquished Test captaincy in 2022. The final central contract list of New Zealand is likely to be announced next month.
After New Zealand’s flop show at the T20 World Cup 2024, skipper Kane Williamson has turned down the central contract for the 2024-25 cycle and has also relinquished the white-ball captaincy. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
