Kane Williamson renounces Test captaincy, hands baton to Tim Southee

Christchurch: New Zealand will see out the rest of their World Test Championship campaign with a new captain, with Kane Williamson handing responsibilities to Tim Southee.

New Zealand Cricket made the announcement that Williamson was stepping down on Thursday morning, with an eye to the Test team’s tour of Pakistan.

Tom Latham will deputise Southee, with Williamson staying on as a specialist batsman.

Williamson is statistically the best Test captain in New Zealand’s history, winning 22 of 40 matches at the helm, as well as eight draws and just 10 defeats.

He led the team to the inaugural World Test Championship title in 2021, defeating India in the final in Southampton.

"Captaining the Black Caps in Test cricket has been an incredibly special honour,” Williamson reflected upon his resignation.

"For me, Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game and I’ve enjoyed the challenges of leading the side in the format."

Williamson will remain captain in the two white-ball formats for New Zealand, with a focus on a World Cup 2023 campaign and a T20 World Cup in 2024.

"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," Williamson said on the decision.

"After discussions with NZC, we felt that continuing to captain the white-ball formats was preferable with two World Cups in the next two years."

New Zealand's squad for the Pakistan Test tour was finalised later on Thursday, and Southee said it was humbling to be asked to lead the team for the tour and beyond.

"It’s been a surreal few days and it’s just a massive honour to be appointed as Test captain," Southee said.

"I love Test cricket, it’s the ultimate challenge and I’m really excited by the opportunity to lead the team in this format.

"Kane’s been an outstanding Test captain and I’m looking forward to working with Gary on how we can build on that.”

Williamson said Southee and Latham will have him as a source of help throughout his tenure.

"I’m excited to support Tim as captain and Tom as vice-captain," Williamson added.

"Having played with both of them for most of my career, I’m confident they’ll do a great job."

The first Test in Pakistan begins on December 26. (UNI)