After the fourth day’s play in the ongoing third Test against the West Indies at Bay Oval, veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson said he will ask himself whether it’s his last match in whites.

Williamson is the finest-ever Kiwi batter statistically, boasting 9,461 Test runs to his name at an average of 54.7 with the help of 33 hundreds.

“As you get to the latter stages (of your career), those thoughts certainly enter your mind,” said the 35-year-old.

While Williamson is yet to take a call on his Test future, he is leaning more towards family than cricketing commitment.

“It’s almost series by series,” Williamson said of his commitment to the Black Caps.

After the West Indies Test series, “there’s a pretty large block away from the (Black Caps), and there will be more conversations had. We’ll just cross those bridges as they come.”

Williamson is no longer obliged to play for New Zealand, having signed a casual playing agreement that gives him freedom to pick and choose when he is available. On Tuesday (December 23), he will fly to South Africa along with his family to take part in the SA20 tournament.

New Zealand will next play a one-off Test against Ireland in May 2026, followed by a three-match series against England in June.

The Kiwis will host India for two Test matches in October and November, before travelling to Australia for four Test matches in December 2026 and January 2027.

“Going to England and Australia are really mouth-watering prospects and great opportunities because they are tough tours,” Williamson said.

“I’ve been involved with a few of them before, and my position is still the same, executing that balance (between family and cricket) as well as I can.”

Many Black Caps fans hoped Williamson would be the first Kiwi batter to breach the 10,000 Test runs mark before he hangs up his hat. It is likely that if he were to make himself available, he could achieve that feat in 2026.

But Williamson is not driven by stats or his place in the history books. “I’ve never used this team for my own personal gain,” he remarked.

“I know cricket’s saturated in stats, but you’re wanting to go out and contribute to a team that you care about, so whatever runs you get aren’t really yours, they’re for the team.”

(With AFP Inputs)