Kane Williamson played 110 Tests, 175 ODIs and 93 T20Is for New Zealand.
Williamson leaves international cricket as New Zealand’s highest Test run-getter, with 9,515 runs in 110 matches, an average of 54.06, 33 centuries, 38 fifties, and the best score of 251 runs.
He also played 175 ODIs, scoring 7256 runs at an average of 48.69, with 15 centuries and 47 fifties, and the best score of 148. In 93 T20Is, he made 2575 runs with a strike rate of 123.08 and 18 fifties, with the best score being 95.
Under Williamson’s captaincy, New Zealand won the 2021 World Test Championship and played in the finals of the 2019 World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup.
Revealing details about his decision to retire, Williamson had conversations with his parents and his partner and told a close circle—some senior players, including captain Tom Latham, head coach Rob Walter, and team manager Mike Sandle—that his time was up.
"It just feels like the right time for me to step away. When 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,” Williamson told NZC as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Since declining a central contract two years ago, Williamson has progressively reduced his workload as an international player, which has allowed him to miss some series in order to play franchise cricket or spend more time with his young family.
He stated on Friday that he had been "getting comfortable" with retiring since that game, in which he made 0 and 18 in a low-scoring loss, and he had intimated before the first Test that he was unlikely to return to Lord's as a player.
"I didn't have it [retirement] in mind. You're at the pointy end, and so you're wanting to just value every experience and really commit because that's what you have done, and that's what you expect of everybody else in the group, and they certainly all do that in a big way. And yeah, there was a little bit of reflection.
Obviously, that was an interesting match in itself, but [I was] sitting up there on the [dressing-room] balcony and thinking a bit about it, and then just taking a bit of time in the days post that to get comfortable with it… I really like the space of being really grateful for the time I've had with this New Zealand cricket team and then also the excitement and potential I see in the group,” Williamson stated.
Williamson, who will turn 36 in August, stated that rather than hanging on, he felt at ease leaving because he was still deserving of his position.
"It does feel good to not exhaust it, because it's not just about me and this decision. There are a lot of factors and a deep care for the team. I've got too much respect for this team and where it's wanting to go,” he added, when asked about the lure of playing his final Test overseas instead of playing at home.
"It was this real evolution of a side to get where we got to and to put out strong performances and repeat that, to see some of that success after the ups and downs that we experienced. It was great, but more for those reasons rather than just a win.
It's funny: you remember your first test, and it was just the best thing ever. [Even] if it was never to happen again, you've got your baggy cap; it's incredible. You had a few more, and 16 years later, you're standing here with a choice to make. It's incredible when you reflect on it… It's been a journey,” he stated.
Williamson has started prepping for life after cricket, having spent the IPL 2026 with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a 'strategic advisor.'
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)