Williamson and Ferguson Decline Central Contracts; Williamson to Also Stand down as Captain

Kane Williamson has announced that he will not be accepting a central contract for the 2024/25 season, and therefore also relinquish the captaincy of the New Zealand side.

The main reason behind his decision is so that he can extend his international career in all three formats whilst being able to pursue overseas opportunities during the month of January 2025 as there is very little international cricket being played in that window.

Williamson will remain available for the Blackcaps outside of January next year with the eight World Test Championship matches against Sri Lanka, India, and England taking place along with the return of the Champions Trophy tournament, played in Pakistan.

He is committed to helping push the team forward across the formats and wants to be able to keep contributing. The point of him potentially accepting a central contract offer in the future is something that Williamson remains open to doing.

On his time playing for New Zealand so far Williamson said that it is “something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished” 

“My life outside cricket has changed however - spending more time with my family and enjoying experiences with them at home or abroad is something that’s even more important to me.”

Lockie Ferguson has also indicated that he won’t accept a central contract offer when they are likely announced next month.

The 33-year-old pulled off an extraordinary achievement at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with four maidens against Papua New Guinea, he also picked up three wickets in that match.

New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink said it is “a good way to help keep Kane in the international game so that he continues to play a major role for the Blackcaps – both now and in the years to come.”

Weenink did make the point that NZC has a preference to select centrally contracted players for Blackcaps squads, but an exception would be made to New Zealand’s greatest-ever batter. He also reiterated the point that Williamson would be available outside the month of January.