Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a 16-year career highlighted by numerous accolades and leading his side to the inaugural World Test Championship title in 2021.

The 35-year-old batsman made his Test debut against India in November 2010 in Ahmedabad and played 110 Tests, scoring 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06.

He is New Zealand's all-time leading international run-scorer with 19,346 runs, including 48 centuries and six double-centuries across all formats. He will not participate in the ongoing Test series against England.

"I've always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I've given it my all in every match I've played for New Zealand," Williamson said in a statement on Friday. "Continuing with anything less wouldn't be right, and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms."

Williamson captained the Black Caps across formats from 2016 to 2024. He led the Test side for 40 matches, guiding them to the 2021 World Test Championship title by beating India in the final.

His accolades include being named ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2015 and Test Player of the Year in 2019, as well as winning the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal a record four times.

Source: www.aljazeera.com