Will Kane Williamson wear New Zealand whites again? Black Caps legend admits Test future is 'series by series'

When Kane Williamson walked off the Bay Oval on Monday after New Zealand’s emphatic 323-run win over the West Indies, it may have marked the final time the country’s greatest-ever batter appeared in Test whites.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Williamson, who has amassed 9,461 Test runs from 108 matches at an extraordinary average of 54.68, admitted ahead of Day 5 of the Mount Maunganui Test that the thought of retirement has begun to weigh heavily as he enters the twilight of his career.

“As you get to the latter stages (of your career), those thoughts certainly enter your mind,” the 35-year-old said, stopping short of confirming whether the match could be his last in the longest format for the Black Caps.What is clear, however, is that Williamson’s commitment to New Zealand cricket is no longer absolute. “It’s almost series by series,” he said, underlining the uncertainty that now surrounds his international future. “After the West Indies series, there’s a pretty large block away from the (Black Caps), and there will be more conversations. We’ll just cross those bridges as they come.”Williamson’s priorities have shifted increasingly towards family, a balance he openly acknowledged.

On Tuesday, he and his family are set to fly to South Africa, where he will feature in the SA20 league — a move emblematic of his evolving relationship with New Zealand Cricket.

Having signed a casual playing agreement, Williamson is no longer obliged to make himself available for every international assignment, giving him the freedom to pick and choose when he plays for the national side. As a result, it could be as long as six months before New Zealand even enters his thinking again, with a one-off Test against Ireland in May 2026 followed by a three-match series against England in June.There are still tantalising prospects on the horizon, including home Tests against India later in 2026 and a daunting four-Test tour of Australia across 2026-27. “Going to England and Australia are really mouth-watering prospects,” Williamson said. “They are tough tours, and great opportunities.”Despite edging closer to the coveted 10,000-run milestone, Williamson insisted personal landmarks hold little appeal. “I’ve never used this team for my own personal gain,” he said. “Whatever runs you get aren’t really yours — they’re for the team.”