ICC Chairman Jay Shah lauds New Zealand legend Williamson after international retirement
New Delhi, June 12
International Cricket Council Chairman Jay Shah on Friday congratulated New Zealand cricket legend Kane Williamson following his announcement to retire from international cricket.
Williamson's announcement brings down the curtains to an international career that saw him play 378 international games for New Zealand. The 35-year-old finishes as New Zealand's all-time leading international run-scorer with 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double-centuries, according to the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) website.
Taking to X, Shah lauded Williamson's illustrious career, highlighting his class, humility, and exemplary leadership on and off the field. He also hailed Williamson's remarkable achievements, including being named the ICC Men's 2019 Cricket World Cup Player of the Tournament and leading New Zealand to victory in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021.
"Congratulations to Kane Williamson on an exceptional international career built on class, humility, and outstanding leadership. Your achievements as the ICC Men's @CricketWorldCup 2019 Player of the Tournament and the captain of New Zealand's historic ICC World Test Championship 2021 triumph will remain etched in cricketing history. Wishing you continued success and fulfilment in all your future endeavours," Shah wrote on X.
Williamson's retirement on Friday marks the end of a stellar 16-year career during which he became New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer across formats and earned widespread admiration for his consistency, sportsmanship, and leadership.
Williamson's last assignment for New Zealand came during the 1st Test of the ongoing three-match series against England, at Lord's in London, where he scored a duck in the first innings and contributed 18 runs in the second. New Zealand eventually faced a 115-run loss in the Test.
Alongside his numbers as a batter, Williamson's captaincy and leadership style were also much admired, as he led the Black Caps in all three formats during the period from 2016 to 2024, where they made two ICC World Cup finals, three semi-finals, and won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021.
As a captain, Williamson led New Zealand in 40 Tests, registering 22 wins, 10 losses, and 8 draws, second only to Stephen Fleming, who has 28 wins from 80 Tests. In 91 ODIs under his leadership, New Zealand recorded 46 wins, 40 losses, 1 tie, and 4 no-results, again second to Fleming's 98 wins from 218 ODIs.
He holds the record for the most T20I wins by a New Zealand captain with 39 victories in 75 matches.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Shah sahab is quick to pat Williamson on the back, but let's be honest - NZ cricket's downfall started when Williamson stepped away from captaincy. There was something special about how he led that team through difficult phases, especially in Tests where he always found a way to compete against the big boys.
As an Indian cricket fan, I always admired Williamson because he played the game the way it should be played - with respect for opponents and passion for the sport. Every time he came to bat against India, I'd simultaneously hope he fails but also enjoy watching his artistry. That WTC final knock was something else! 🙌
Kane Williamson was the ultimate underrated superstar in world cricket. While Kohli, Smith, and Root grabbed headlines, Williamson quietly piled up runs and led his team to places no one imagined. 19,346 runs and 48 centuries for a country like New Zealand is absolutely mind-blowing. Wish him all the best for his franchise cricket career! 🏆
Sad to see another great of the game retire. Williamson's legacy isn't just about numbers - it's about the values he brought to cricket. In an age where sledging and aggression dominate, he showed that you can be fiercely competitive while remaining a gentleman. Indian cricket could learn a lot from his approach to the game.
Jay Shah's tribute is well-deserved! Williamson was one of the few overseas players who never had a bad word said about him in Indian cricket circles. His calm demeanour and brilliant technique made him a joy to watch, especially in those long Test innings. The
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