Kane Williamson remains non-committal about how long he will stay in New Zealand colours, stressing that each decision will be made “series-by-series” while he juggles cricket with family life.
The 35-year-old is currently leading the side in the third Test against West Indies at Bay Oval and is 448 runs shy of becoming the first New Zealander to 10,000 in the format. He stepped away from T20 internationals last month and is now on a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), leaving him free to pick and choose assignments.
Asked whether he will tour India for a three-match ODI series in January, Williamson was guarded. “Yeah, it’s almost series-by-series, and like I say after this, there’s a pretty large block away from the group as well, and there’ll be more conversations had,” he told reporters in Mount Maunganui. “Yeah, so just kind of cross those bridges as we come, and like I mentioned earlier, just with the balance in mind for the young family.”
Balancing bats and nappies
Fatherhood is clearly influencing his planning. “Yeah, I mean, my position’s still the same,” he explained. “It’s the balance, and I’ve got a young family, and that takes a lot of my time and attention now, and I’m still enjoying my cricket. As long as that’s at the forefront…and New Zealand Cricket have been really helpful and respectful of that as well.”
Williamson added: “And so whilst I’m still here, I want to try and contribute as much as I can and give to the team as much as I can, and it’s great to be involved in this series at home again. I mean, there’s quite a big break post this, so plenty more time to weigh all these things up.”
Franchise commitments loom
That “break” is not entirely a holiday. On Boxing Day he begins a stint with Durban Super Giants in the SA20 – South Africa’s domestic T20 league – which overlaps with the India ODIs. NZC is comfortable with such arrangements under the new contracting model that allows high-profile players greater freedom to take up franchise deals.
Fixture list gets tougher
After the West Indies series, New Zealand’s next Tests are not until the 2026 tours of England and Australia, plus a one-off against Ireland in Belfast. Those trips will be challenging; New Zealand have not won a series in either country for more than two decades.
“Yeah, those are amazing tours, and I’ve had a few of them in my time, and as we know, the depth as well in New Zealand Cricket at the moment is outstanding,” Williamson said. “I mean, gosh, the injuries that we’ve had and the guys that are coming in and contributing like they are. I mean, I think in Wellington, across our four bowlers, there were about seven Test matches between them and to see them come in and do as well as they’ve done has been fantastic. So going into, you know, a big sort of Test 18 months, with a real battery of fast bowlers is exciting, and certainly going to England and Australia, etc, are really sort of mouth-watering prospects and great opportunities because they are tough tours.
“And for me, I mean, yeah, like I say, I’ve been involved with a few of them before, and my position is still the same, and it’s sort of executing that balance as well as I can. Still wanting to very much respect that, there’s a team being built, and so you’re wanting to give as much as you can to it, you know, whilst you’re here.”
Reading between the lines, Williamson sounds keen to tackle at least one more northern summer and a swing through Australia. Yet he is equally clear that cricket must fit around home life – not the other way round. For now, New Zealand supporters will take comfort in seeing their captain at the crease this week, leaving tomorrow’s choices for tomorrow.
