![Cricket Fraternity reacts to Kane Williamson retirement [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1781277870490_Kane_Williamson.jpg?type=hq)
Cricket Fraternity reacts to Kane Williamson retirement [Source: AFP]
Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket. The legendary New Zealand batter has opted out of completing his teamās ongoing three-match Test series in England.
Aged just 35, the prolific right-handed batter played the series-opening first Test at Lordās earlier this month, registering scores of 0 and 18 as New Zealand stumbled to a huge 115-run defeat. Regardless of his latest failure, Williamson concluded his international career as New Zealandās most proficient run-maker in Tests, and their leading century-maker across all forms of the game.
His sudden retirement announcement sparked a wave of congratulatory messages from various corners of the cricketing fraternity. ICC chairman Jay Shah was among those who paid tribute to the outbound New Zealander, hailing his remarkable career and lasting impact on the game.
Cricket fraternity congratulates Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson announced his shock retirement from international cricket while speaking on New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Friday, June 12. Soon after the announcement, the 35-year-old received many congratulatory messages from various corners of the cricketing fraternity.
Also Read- 5 Kane Williamson Records That Will Be Tough To Break
ICC chairman Jay Shah, prominent commentator Harsha Bhogle, Williamsonās former IPL franchise SRH as well as ex-IPL teammate and Antipodean rival David Warner were among the notable figures who congratulated the Kiwi great on an illustrious international career. Here is a look at how the cricketing fraternity reacted to the retirement of Kane Williamson.
Williamson explains why he retired mid-series
Kane Williamson explained why he retired midway into New Zealandās three-match away Test series against hosts England. He said āIt just feels like the right time for me to step away.ā
The 35-year-old added āWhen I look at the dressing room now and I see the talent, and the journey that I think this team's looking to go on, it just feels like the right time for me to step away. I feel really good about it. It's funny when you reflect on so much, but all good things come to an end, and it's the change of seasons.ā
Kane Williamson retires as New Zealandās most prolific batter
The former New Zealand captain concluded his Test career with 9,515 runs in 195 innings spanning 110 Tests at a prolific average of 54.06, the highest among all Test batters in the country. The cricketer also aggregated 19,346 runs in international cricket to mark the highest among all New Zealand batters in history.
He punched out 48 hundreds in his career, including 33 tons in Test cricket alone. The right-handed batter was also New Zealandās fourth most successful batter in ODIs, and the second highest run-maker in T20I matches.
Under the leadership of Williamson, New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, and reached the final of the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup and the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. He was also a part of the New Zealand team that reached the final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Also Read- Rohit Sharma Suffers Another Injury Scare before Afghanistan ODI
