The former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has retired from international cricket with immediate effect, midway through his country’s three-Test series against England, to bring the curtain down on a glittering career which spanned 16 years.Williamson, 35, played in the tourists’ 115-run defeat at Lord’s last week, scoring nought and 18, but has opted against completing the series with the games at the Oval and Trent Bridge still to come. He ends a career that began in 2010 as New Zealand’s highest Test run scorer with 9,515 across 110 matches, including 33 centuries, at an impressive average of 54.06.His highest Test score was 251, against West Indies in Hamilton in 2020. He also contributed 7,256 runs in 175 one-day international (ODI) appearances, and 2,575 runs in 93 T20I matches.That equates to 19,346 runs across all formats, including 48 centuries and six double centuries.Kane Williamson was a prolific run scorer across all three formats of the game (Phil Walter/Getty Images)“I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time,” Williamson said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC). “I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand.“Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.“I leave feeling optimistic about where this group is heading. There’s a huge amount of talent, and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team. It’s a team I love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it for so long. It will continue to be dear to my heart.”