June 13, 2026
New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson quit international cricket on Friday, ending a stellar 16-year career marked by numerous accolades and by captaining his side to the title in the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.
Williamson's departure also suggests the sun is finally setting for batting's modern "Fab Four" of India's Virat Kohli, England's Joe Root, Australia's Steve Smith and Williamson himself.
Statistically, Williamson departs as New Zealand's most prolific run-scorer, having accumulated more than 19,000 international runs and anchoring the team through its most successful era across all formats.
Williamson, who turns 36 in August, decided to step away in the middle of the series in England having scored zero and 18 in the opening test last week.
