Williamson turns down New Zealand contract

Kane Williamson has turned down a caller cardinal statement pinch New Zealand Cricket and stepped down arsenic nan Black Caps' white-ball captain.

The 33-year-old, who is New Zealand's all-time starring Test run-scorer, said he remained "passionate" astir playing world cricket, but besides wanted to "pursue an overseas opportunity" during nan location summer.

New Zealand's centrally contracted players must beryllium disposable to play world cricket and successful nan home T20 Super Smash competition.

That tourney is apt to beryllium successful January, overlapping pinch a number of different franchise leagues.

With New Zealand having small world cricket scheduled for that month, Williamson looks group to play abroad.

"Helping push nan squad guardant crossed nan formats is thing I’m very passionate astir and thing I want to support contributing towards," he said.

"However, pursuing an overseas opportunity during nan New Zealand summertime intends I’m incapable to judge a cardinal statement offer.

"Playing for New Zealand is thing I treasure, and my desire to springiness backmost to nan squad remains undiminished.

"My life extracurricular cricket has changed nevertheless - spending much clip pinch my family and enjoying experiences pinch them astatine location aliases overseas is thing that’s moreover much important to me."

A connection from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said Williamson mightiness judge a cardinal statement successful nan future.

NZC main executive Scott Weenink said: "This is simply a bully measurement to thief support Kane successful nan world crippled truthful that he continues to play a awesome domiciled for nan Black Caps - some now and successful nan years to come.

"NZC has a beardown penchant to prime centrally contracted players for nan Black Caps, nevertheless we're happy to make an objection for our top ever batter - particularly arsenic he remains truthful committed to nan team.

"I cognize it sounds a spot counterintuitive, but I'm very encouraged by this development."

England will play 3 Tests successful New Zealand successful December.

Williamson's determination to measurement down arsenic white-ball skipper comes aft New Zealand were knocked retired successful nan first information of nan T20 World Cup.

It is nan first clip nan Black Caps person not reached nan semi-finals of a T20 aliases 50-over World Cup since 2014.