Why Kane Williamson's absence from the Black Caps is set to continue
Saturday, 29 March 2025
Commentary and county cricket are the key reasons why Kane Williamson will continue to be absent from the Black Caps.
New Zealand’s greatest batter made himself unavailable for the T20I and ODI series against Pakistan here this month.
It’s hugely likely too that Williamson won’t play any part in the Black Caps’ tour of Zimbabwe later this year - including the two test matches.
The 34-year-old wasn’t selected by any of the Indian Premier League franchises to play in this year’s competition, but has instead been part of the experts’ panel at Indian broadcaster Star Sports.
Williamson made himself unavailable for the Black Caps after helping the side make the final of the Champions Trophy earlier this month; missing five T20Is and the three-game ODI series versus Pakistan starting in Napier on Saturday.
Last year, Williamson signed a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, which allowed him to play fewer matches for the national team.
Fans may still have expected New Zealand’s leading test runscorer and century-maker to play the two tests in Bulawayo from late July to early August, but Williamson signed a deal in February to play for Middlesex in the English county cricket competition and the T20 Blast, while he will captain the London Spirit in The Hundred tournament.
Black Caps head coach Gary Stead told The Post on Thursday that Williamson isn’t likely to turn out for the national side again until the home summer season begins.
“Well, he's obviously signed over in the UK for the winter, so I imagine with Kane, it'll be our next season that we're playing at home,” Stead said.
“I think Kane will have some decisions to make about where he sees his cricket future, and he's obviously more at the end than the start of his career, and that unfortunately happens to all players at some stage.
“I think it's great, he's getting some different experiences that he probably hasn't achieved earlier in his career because he's been so committed to the Black Caps side as well. I haven't had a talk to Kane recently about it, but look, I'm sure in time he'll work out where he wants to go.”
Williamson has played 105 tests, 173 ODIs and 93 T20Is for New Zealand since making his international debut in November 2010. The right-hander has scored 9276 runs at an average of 54.88, with 33 centuries - only 11 players have scored more tons in test cricket history.
The Black Caps will contest a T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe against the hosts and South Africa in July in Harare, before New Zealand and the hosts play two tests in Bulawayo. It will be the first time the Black Caps have met Zimbabwe at test level since two tests at the same venue in 2016.
Williamson made scores of 91, 113 and 68 not out in that series as captain.
It was reported this week that Williamson and fellow Black Caps batter Mark Chapman will miss the initial stages of the Pakistan Super League next month.
Williamson is part of the Karachi Kings squad which also includes Tim Seifert and Adam Milne, while Chapman is part of the Quetta Gladiators. Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson and Colin Munro will also play in this year’s PSL.
Black Caps in Zimbabwe
T20I tri-series, Harare
July 16: New Zealand vs South Africa
July 18: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
July 22: New Zealand vs South Africa
July 24: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand
July 26: Final
Test series, Bulawayo
1st Test: July 30 to August 3
2nd Test: August 7 to August 11