England series could determine when Kane Williamson’s test career ends with Black Caps
Friday, 8 May 2026
ANALYSIS: Three tests which could determine when Kane Williamson’s magnificent test career will end.
Williamson was named as expected on Thursday in an extended Black Caps squad for a one-off test versus Ireland late this month, and a three-game series against England could play a pivotal part in the side’s World Test Championship standings.
Following the series in England, New Zealand will play another 10 matches in their WTC campaign until March.
Currently sitting second on the table after two wins and a draw at home to the West Indies last December, NZ will host India in a two-test series at the start of the New Zealand summer, followed by four tests away to Australia in December-January, two tests at home against Sri Lanka, and two tests in Pakistan to finish.
Should the Black Caps remain in contention for a top-two finish and a spot in the final of the tournament they were the inaugural winners of, Williamson could feature in most or all of those matches.
When asked by The Post in March how he saw the remainder of his international career playing out, the 35-year-old said the ODI World Cup (in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe in October and November 2027) was at the back of his mind.
“There's always other things. Test cricket is pretty dear to me as well,” Williamson said.
“Really, it's a little bit about what I want, and little bit more about what the team wants and where it's going and what we're sort of buying into and just keeping those lines of communication open to make sure that we're nice and focused and clear on what it looks like, but also being really respectful of the fact that this is a team in a special place and they're always trying to build towards something, so for me, in this phase of my career, if I'm there and able to add to it, brilliant.”
Williamson had a relatively quiet series at home versus the West Indies while still averaging 46.25.
He’s played 108 tests to sit fourth on the all-time list for New Zealand behind Ross Taylor (112), Daniel Vettori and Stephen Fleming (111).
Those games have him closing in on 10,000 test runs, needing another 539 to reach that landmark, and with 33 centuries he’s tied for the 12th in history and could climb into the top seven over the next two years - England’s Joe Root (41 tons) and Australia’s Steve Smith (37) the only two active test batters above him.
Williamson is currently working as Strategic Advisor for the Lucknow Super Giants franchise in the Indian Premier League, while also doing preparation work on his batting.
It’s uncertain at this stage whether he’ll play against Ireland in the four-day test in Stormont, Belfast, from May 27-30. The Black Caps squad also contains current IPL players Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Zak Foulkes, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips, who will join once their respective stints in the competition end, with the finals running from May 25-31.
That could lead to the XI to meet Ireland in a test for the first time being without some first-choice selections, with pace bowlers Ben Sears (in the full squad just for the Ireland test and as a travelling reserve for England) and Michael Rae possible inclusions, while if Phillips isn’t available, there could be a test debut for Dean Foxcroft.
With all players primed to meet England in the opening game of that series at Lord’s on June 4, coach Rob Walter looks likely to be able to field his top line-up for the first time since taking charge last year.
Captain Tom Latham and Devon Conway would open, with Williamson, Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell in the middle-order. Phillips would take the allrounder-spin bowling spot, with Tom Blundell as wicketkeeper-batter. That would then see a four-strong pace bowling attack of Henry, Will O’Rourke, Jamieson and likely Foulkes, whose inswing would offer a point of difference.
New Zealand test squad to Ireland and England
Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Kristian Clarke (Ireland test only), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears (Ireland test only, 16th travelling reserve for England), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young (Ireland test only).
Test schedule
May 27-30: One-off test v Ireland at Stormont, Belfast
June 4-8: 1st test v England at Lord’s, London
June 17-21: 2nd test v England at The Oval, London
June 25-29: 3rd test v England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham