New Zealand superstar Kane Williamson has stepped down as captain of the Test side after more than six years in charge in a bid to keep playing all three forms of the game.
Fast bowler Tim Southee will take up the leadership role with Williamson to continue to lead the Blackcaps in ODI and T20 cricket.
Part of cricket’s “big four” batsmen, with Australian Steve Smith, Indian megastar Virat Kohli and England’s Joe Root, Williamson joins his fellow batters in no longer being captain.
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While Smith lost his post in the wake of the sandpaper scandal, both Root and Kohli abdicated their roles to focus on batting with Williamson doing the same, albeit holding on to the role in whiteball cricket.
“Captaining the blackcaps in Test cricket has been an incredibly special honour,” he said.
“For me, Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game and I’ve enjoyed the challenges of leading the side in the format.
“Captaincy comes with an increased workload on and off the field and at this stage of my career I feel the time is right for this decision.
“We felt that continuing to captain the white-ball formats was preferable with two World Cups in the next two years.
“I’m excited to support Tim as captain and Tom (Latham) as vice-captain. Having played with both of them for most of my career, I’m confident they’ll do a great job.
“Playing for the blackcaps and contributing in all three formats is my number one priority and I’m looking forward to the cricket we have ahead.”
Williamson captained the Test team on 38 occasions for 22 wins, eight draws and10 losses after replacing Brendon McCullum in 2016.
Statistically he’s the most successful Test captain New Zealand has ever had, taking them the number one ICC Test ranking at the start of 2021 and victory in the ICC World Test Championship Final in June last year
Southee said it had been a “surreal few days” and was honoured to be appointed as Test captain.
“I love Test cricket, it’s the ultimate challenge and I’m really excited by the opportunity to lead the team in this format,” he said.
“Kane’s been an outstanding Test captain and I’m looking forward to working with Gary on how we can build on that.”
