Batting legend and New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson has been one of the country’s most ardent advocates for using the ball. He’s such a fan that he even has his own signature ball. The Black Soc which is made entirely of leather. As New Zealand gear up to compete in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Williamson has admitted that it will be a hard pill for them to swallow to miss out on the tournament following their shock exit from the 2016 edition. We discuss his thoughts on team selection and how they can rebound from their previous World Cup disappointment.
New Zealand all rounder set to retire after the World Cup
After a glittering international career spanning over 16 years, all rounder Kane Williamson is set to retire at the end of the World Cup. Williamson’s retirement comes as a shock to the cricketing world, with many predicting he would continue playing until at least the 2020 Olympics.
Williamson made his global debut in 2004 and has since represented New Zealand in 109 Tests, 264 ODIs and 34 T20Is. He boasts an incredible record of almost 2200 runs, 12100 balls and 100 wickets across all formats. He has also been a consistent performer for his country, winning two ICC World Cups (2011 and 2015) and two ICC Champions Trophy titles (2013 and 2017).
Williamson says it was never easy to be labelled ‘the all rounder’. “It’s a tough pill for us to swallow really because we are just normal guys trying to do our best for our country,” he said. “But I guess that’s why everyone loves Test cricket it’s always unpredictable. There are so many different permutations that can happen on any given day which makes it so much fun to watch.”
Williamson is now focused on helping New Zealand win their first ever World Cup title and he believes they have what it takes to win the tournament. “We know we can do it we have proved that many times before, both domestically and internationally,” he
Williamson reflects on his career and the highlights
When Williamson announced his retirement from international cricket in February, he had long been warned that it would not be an easy process. The 34 year old has spoken about the”emotional roller coaster” of the last few months and how it was difficult to let go of the dream of representing his country at the highest level.
“It was a very tough pill for us to swallow,” Williamson told Cricket New Zealand. “The highs were unbelievably high, but there were also lows which are hard to deal with because you want to do well for your country.”
Williamson, who made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in March 2005 and played 111 matches, scoring 4,992 runs at an average of 43.24 with 18 centuries and 12 half-centuries, attributes much of his success to his team mates. “Unforgettable memories come from playing alongside some great mates,” he said. “There have been plenty of good times – winning tournaments or series or just being around each other on a day-to-day basis.”
The highlights of Williamson’s international career include captaining New Zealand in their first ever World Cup victory in 2015 and leading them to the final of the ICC World T20 in 2016. He was also named International Player of the Year for 2017 by Wis den Cricketers’ Almanac k.
What’s next for the all rounder?
New Zealand all rounder Kane Williamson has expressed his disappointment after being left out of India’s 15 man squad for the upcoming tour of England. Williamson was dropped from the team last week after poor performances in the preceding T20Is against Sri Lanka and South Africa. “It’s a tough pill for us to swallow,” Williamson said. “I’ve put my heart and soul into this side, and it hurts not being able to contribute on the big stage.” NZC are reportedly confident that Williamson, who is currently playing for English county side Durham, will return to form during the home series against New Zealand next year.
What will Kane Williamson do next?
Kane Williamson will have to weigh up his Cricketing future after being dropped by New Zealand Cricket. Williamson was one of the Original Six who helped make Cricket a global sport, but now finds himself on the outside looking in. Williamson has expressed his disappointment with NZC’s decision and it is unclear what he will do next. There is a possibility that he could move to another country, or even retire from cricket altogether.
Conclusion
It’s been a tough year for New Zealand cricket, with the Black Caps failing to qualify for the World Cup and Williamson enduring an injury plagued season. “It’s been a tougher pill for us to swallow than we thought it would be”, says Williamson. The interview is full of candid insights into what has gone wrong this year and his thoughts on how they can turn things around in 2019.
