Kane Williamson has turned down a central contract from New Zealand Cricket, which means he will no longer be able to captain the Black Caps.
As first reported by The Bounce’s Dylan Cleaver, NZC offered the Black Caps captain a central contract which he turned down in favour of a casual contract, which will allow him to take up more overseas T20 deals.
It will also mean he will relinquish the captaincy of NZ's T20 and ODI sides.
Cleaver reported Williamson, one of New Zealand's greatest players, is eyeing up a contract in South Africa's SA20 competition.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said they are viewing this situation as a “positive development”.
“He is committing to New Zealand for the long term, but with the schedules the way they are this summer he is looking to take up an opportunity in a franchise league and will take his family with him,” said Weenink.
Weenink added that offering players contracts with flexible terms helped keep them in the international game longer. They were only available to those with distinguished international careers.
Weencik said Williamson was likely to be available for every Test, with the possible exception of the match against Afghanistan, and was available for next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Weenink said players can’t be captain of the Black Caps if they aren’t on a central contract.
“Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished," Williamson said.
“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.”
Williamson has recently been captaining the Black Caps in just white ball cricket but this will be the first time since 2016 that he will not be captain in any format of the game.
Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has also indicated he will turn down a central contract.
The news comes off the back of a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign for the Black Caps as they lost their first two matches to be knocked out in the first round of the tournament.
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