Kane Williamson : The gentle giant who gracefully bows out.

After a glittering career, that despite injuries and bad luck, had some riveting moments, New Zealand’s talismanic former captain Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket. His decision comes in the midst of New Zealand's ongoing Test tour of England, which they trail 1-0 after a loss in the opening game. He will not take any further part in the series with the Lord's Test marking his final international appearance.

"I've thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it's become clear now is the right time," Williamson said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket. "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.

"Continuing with anything less wouldn't be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms. t's a team I love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it for so long. It will continue to be dear to my heart."

Williamson marked his arrival on the international scene with a hundred on Test debut against India in Ahmedabad in November 2010, three months after his ODI debut against the same team. He finishes his career as New Zealand's highest run-getter across formats with 19,346 runs and 48 centuries. 

One of Williamson’s most unfortunate moments was the loss to England in the final of the 50 over world cup at Lords in 2019 when he lost the finals on boundary count. That smile…. That smile where he gets the player of the tournament but not the trophy will be etched in cricketing memory forever. Williamson also led the Sunrisers to the IPL final in 2018, but there too was a victim of a Shane Watson special. 

The 35-year old Williamson bows out as New Zealand's sixth-most capped men's player, a four-time winner of the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal, and the winner of the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year Award in 2019.