After Tim Southee, is Kane Williamson also retiring from Test cricket? Former New Zealand captain’s comments fuel speculation

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has officially bid farewell to Test cricket after his team’s emphatic 423-run victory over England in the Hamilton Test. Southee, New Zealand’s second-highest wicket-taker, retires from the longest format with an impressive tally of 391 wickets in 107 matches, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Known for his ability to clear the ropes, Southee also finishes with 98 sixes in Tests, placing him fourth on the all-time list of batters with the most maximums in Test cricket.

Southee and Kane Williamson, the Black Caps teammates, have shared a long-standing bond that began during the 2008 U-19 World Cup. Earlier this year, the duo marked their 100th Test appearance together in a historic clash against Australia.

Southee took over as New Zealand’s Test captain in 2022, succeeding Williamson, and led the side in 14 Test matches before stepping down ahead of the India tour this year.

Kane Williamson’s future in Test cricket

Following Southee’s exit, attention has shifted to Kane Williamson, whose future in Test cricket has become a subject of speculation. Williamson’s stellar century in the third and final Test of the series against England raised questions about whether it could have been his final appearance in the longest format.

Speaking at a press conference, Williamson chose not to commit to his Test future. The Black Caps have no Test matches scheduled for the next eight months, with their next assignment being a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in July 2025. When asked about his plans, Williamson remained non-committal, focusing instead on the immediate cricketing calendar.

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“It’s so far away at the moment. I’m just focussing on right now and getting through the rest of the summer really. There’s a bunch of different cricket coming up, and Champions Trophy obviously, which is exciting. Yeah, just see how it goes… I love Test cricket. As you mention, there’s not a huge amount of it for some time, such is the schedule,” Williamson said.

Williamson’s stance leaves fans wondering

His comments come amid uncertainty over his long-term Test participation. Williamson previously sparked discussions about his future when he refused to sign the core contract offered by New Zealand Cricket last year, just before the start of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

As New Zealand prepares for a lengthy Test hiatus, Williamson’s ambiguous stance leaves fans and analysts wondering whether the 33-year-old batting maestro will return to don the whites. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon and a packed schedule of limited-overs cricket, Williamson’s focus seems firmly set on the near-term challenges.

For now, Southee’s retirement marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket, and all eyes remain on Williamson as the cricketing world awaits clarity on his future in the red-ball format.