THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Christchurch, June 19: Following New Zealand’s shocking early departure from the T20 World Cup, Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand, said on Wednesday that he will forgo his national contract for the 2024–25 season and relinquish white-ball captaincy in order to extend his international career.
Williamson was cited in a New Zealand Cricket statement as saying, “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 to be available for WTC matches
New Zealand’s 2024-25 season is anticipated to be less demanding, as they have limited bilateral series commitments scheduled until the January timeframe.
Eight Test matches are on the schedule for the Black Caps, which will include a trip of India and a three-match home series against England in November and December, right before Christmas.
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However, Williamson will continue to be accessible for the eight World Test Championship matches that New Zealand will play as they strive to qualify for the final at Lord’s in June next year.
Players who sign NZC central contracts must be available for both international fixtures and the domestic Super Smash tournament.
Several T20 leagues like UAE’s ILT20, South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s BBL, and Bangladesh’s BPL are slated to overlap in January. New Zealand’s Super Smash might also fall within the same timeframe.
Williamson led NZ to three finals including WTC victory
Williamson has participated in 100 Test matches, 165 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 93 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Additionally, he captained New Zealand in 40 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 75 T20Is.
Under Williamson’s leadership, New Zealand reached finals in major tournaments, including the 2019 ODI World Cup, the 2021 T20 World Cup, and the inaugural World Test Championship final, which they won.
