Veteran New Zealand batter Kane Williamson has spoken about his much-awaited return to international cricket, expressing excitement to rejoin the national team for the upcoming ODI series against England. This will mark his first appearance for the Black Caps since the 2025 Champions Trophy, with the star player emphasising the importance of maintaining balance between professional and personal commitments.
In a video shared by New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Williamson said discussions about his availability for the rest of the home summer were ongoing. “It’s all about keeping that balance between family and playing for a team I’ve loved for such a long time,” he said. Now a father of three, he admitted that family priorities have reshaped his outlook but added, “Playing for New Zealand and the sport I love at the highest level is still something I deeply value.”
Despite various transitions in the team setup, including a new head coach and emerging players, Williamson said his hunger to improve remains unchanged. “I still love the game and want to train hard, get better, and contribute wherever I can. That mindset hasn’t changed since I was a schoolboy — work hard and keep improving,” he added.
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The 34-year-old is not looking too far ahead but acknowledged that the 2027 ODI World Cup and Test cricket remain important goals. “It’s about understanding what the team needs, where it’s going, and if I can add value to that process,” Williamson said. He also praised the leadership of Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham, calling them calm, tactical, and passionate about leading New Zealand’s white-ball and red-ball sides.
Williamson, who recently played county cricket for Middlesex in England, said the time away from international duty helped him reset. “The off-season in England was nice, both family-wise and playing-wise. It gave me a chance to get my rhythm back,” he said. With the England ODIs marking his long-awaited return, fans and teammates alike are eager to see the Kiwi great back anchoring New Zealand’s batting once again.
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