Veteran New Zealand batter and former captain Kane Williamson still wants to represent his country in international cricket despite opting out of the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, believes newly appointed NZ coach Rob Walter. Williamson turned down a central contract with New Zealand Cricket for this season, allowing him to pick and choose his availability and take up lucrative contracts in franchise cricket.
Williamson will be leading the London Spirit in The Hundred in England instead of playing two Tests against Zimbabwe in late July and August, set to be played in Bulawayo.
“Myself and Kane have had a nice conversation, a long conversation,” said Walter to the New Zealand Herald.
“It was really great to catch up with him and discuss cricket. It was great to get his lens on New Zealand cricket and the Black Caps. He’s been so influential in their success over the years. But then also to discuss what the future might look like. I’ve said it repeatedly, he’s still very committed to the Black Caps and wants to play international cricket. I don’t think it’ll be too long until we see that,” added the South African who took over the coaching role from Gary Stead.
Williamson had rejected a central contract with NZC in June 2025 for the second time. Before, the kiwi veteran also decided not to accept a central contract last year, to leave himself free to play in T20 and other leagues around the world. He instead signed a casual contract last year and still played in nine of New Zealand’s 13 Tests in 2024, scoring more than 1,000 runs.
After Zimbabwe, New Zealand is set to play a T20I series against Australia and two limited-overs series against England in October before hosting West Indies in all formats at the end of the year.
Williamson stood down as New Zealand’s white-ball captain after the Black Caps exited the T20 World Cup last June but played in the Champions Trophy this year.
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Exactly what his involvement would be in the short-format game going forward would be a decision for Williamson, and he would be welcomed with open arms, Walter said.
“Quality players stay quality players, and they just work at finding a method to be successful in all formats. He’s a generational talent, I’ve got no doubt he’d find a way. He’s probably jostling with what that actually looks like for him personally. But as I said, quality players find a way,” he added.
(With Reuters input)
