Kane Williamson hasn't played for New Zealand since the Champions Trophy in March. Photo: Photosport
Former Black Caps captain Kane Williamson hopes to continue playing until the 2027 World Cup, as he prepares to make his return for his country in the three-match, one-day international series against England, which starts on Sunday.
The 35-year-old has not featured for New Zealand since the Champions Trophy final defeat against India in March, but will feature in the team that faces the tourists at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
"Not [looking] too far ahead," Williamson said, when asked about his plans beyond the upcoming season. "At the back of my mind, there's probably the ODI World Cup.
"There's always other things - test cricket is pretty dear to me as well.
"Really, it's a little bit about what I want, and little bit more about what the team wants and where it's going, and what we're sort of buying into.
"Just keeping those lines of communication open to make sure that we're nice and focused, and clear on what it looks like, but also being really respectful of the fact that this is a team in a special place.
"They're always trying to build towards something, so for me, in this phase of my career, if I'm there and able to add to it, brilliant."
Williamson captained New Zealand in 41 of his 105 tests appearances, as well as 91 of his 173 ODI matches, and he gave his backing to current test captain Tom Latham, plus one-day skipper Mitchell Santner.
"I played a little with Santner in the one-dayers in the Champions Trophy and he has a really astute cricketing brain," he said. "Calm, cool sort of character, so looking forward to playing alongside him again.
"In the tests, with Tommy Latham, he's done the job a number of times over the years and now it's his own, and he's doing a fantastic job.
"He's incredibly organised and passionate about the group and about test cricket. It's great he's at the helm."
Meanwhile, fast bowler Kyle Jamieson has been ruled out of the one-day series with England, due to stiffness in his side.
The 30-year-old aims to return for November's series against the West Indies.
"Kyle experienced some stiffness in his side, after bowling today, and we didn't want to take any risks at this stage of the summer," coach Rob Walter said.
"We felt it was best for him to sit out this one-day series and give himself the best chance of being ready for the West Indies tour which starts on November 5 in Auckland."
- Reuters
