New Delhi, June 13: New Zealand’s star batsman Kane Williamson announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday. In response, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised Williamson’s remarkable career in a heartfelt social media post.
The Prime Minister hailed Williamson as one of New Zealand’s greatest players. He stated that Williamson will always be remembered as one of the best in the nation’s cricketing history. Luxon emphasized that this recognition stems not only from Williamson’s batting prowess and his record as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer but also from his exceptional conduct and discipline throughout his career.
In his post, Luxon referred to Williamson as a “class player,” noting that he has been an exemplary figure both on and off the field. He highlighted Williamson’s technique, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of the game, which set him apart from other players.
Luxon also shared that Williamson hails from a humble family in the Bay of Plenty region but has made a significant name for himself in international cricket through hard work and talent. He remarked that Williamson’s journey exemplifies how dedication and discipline can elevate any player to the highest levels of the sport.
The Prime Minister congratulated Williamson on his illustrious career, stating that he has brought pride to his country, family, and himself. After a 16-year international career, Williamson established himself as one of the finest batsmen of his generation and a highly respected name in global cricket.
Williamson concluded his career as New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer, amassing 19,346 runs in 378 matches. His impressive record includes 48 centuries and 6 double centuries. Throughout his career, he scored 9,515 runs in 110 Tests, 7,256 runs in 174 ODIs, and 2,575 runs in 93 T20 Internationals.
One of the greatest players to don the New Zealand jersey, Williamson also achieved significant success as captain. At 35 years old, he led the team across all formats from 2016 to 2024. Under his leadership, New Zealand reached the World Cup finals twice and the semifinals three times. His captaincy also saw the team win the World Test Championship title in 2021.
Due to his consistent dominance and outstanding performances, Williamson received numerous accolades, including the ICC Cricketer of the Year award in 2015 and the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award in 2019. He has also won the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for New Zealand cricket four times.
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