Kane Williamson steps down, rejects New Zealand central contract

Black Caps superstar Kane Williamson has rejected a central contract for the 2024/25 season and relinquished the white-ball captaincy in a fresh blow for New Zealand Cricket.On Wednesday morning, NZ Cricket confirmed the 33-year-old had declined a central contract to pursue other opportunities during the January 2025 window, allowing him to participate in overseas franchise leagues such as the SA20, ILT20 or Big Bash League. New Zealand cricketers with a central contract must be available for all home internationals and the Super Smash in January.
Williamson, who has represented the Black Caps 358 times, remains available for national selection outside that month and is open to the possibility of accepting a central contract offer in the future.Black Caps fast bowler Lockie Ferguson also indicated he wouldn’t accept a central contract offer, NZC confirmed.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink declared the move was beneficial for both sides as it would prolong Williamson’s career.“This is a good way to help keep Kane in the international game so that he continues to play a major role for the Black Caps — both now and in the years to come,” Weenink said in a statement.“We have very little international cricket in New Zealand through January and outside that period he’s still available for the Black Caps."He has opted to take advantage of a particular set of circumstances this summer in which very little international cricket is being played in New Zealand during the January window," read the statement from New Zealand cricket.
The decision from Williamson comes after the Blackcaps' disastrous campaign at the T20 World Cup 2024, where they exited the competition in the group stages after suffering losses to the West Indies and Afghanistan. New Zealand play very little cricket at home during the 2024/25 season, especially during the January window.