Kane Williamson says he will consider his Test future with New Zealand on a "series by series" basis.
Some believe Williamson, 35, is playing in his final Test - the Black Caps require 10 wickets on the final day of the third Test against the West Indies at Mount Maunganui today to win the series 2-0 - but Williamson continues to keep his cards close to his chest in terms of his future.
"It's almost series-by-series... and there'll be more conversations had," Williamson said at Bay Oval last night. "Yeah, so just kind of cross those bridges as we come, and like I mentioned earlier, just with the balance in mind for the young family.
"My position's still the same," he said. "It's the balance, and I've got a young family, and that takes a lot of my time and attention now, and I'm still enjoying my cricket. As long as that's at the forefront...and New Zealand Cricket have been really helpful and respectful of that as well.
"And so whilst I'm still here, I want to try and contribute as much as I can and give to the team as much as I can, and it's great to be involved in this series at home again. I mean, there's quite a big break post this, so plenty more time to weigh all these things up."
Williamson, who has a casual contract with NZ Cricket, will next play for Durban's Super Giants (DSG) in the SA20, which will kick off on Boxing Day and will overlap with New Zealand's three-match ODI series in India in January next year. Williamson is also part of their parent franchise, Lucknow Super Giants, as a strategic adviser in the IPL.
New Zealand are set to visit England and Australia for Tests in 2026. The Black Caps are also set to play a one-off Test against Ireland in Stormont next year.
"Those are amazing tours, and I've had a few of them in my time, and as we know, the depth as well in New Zealand Cricket at the moment is outstanding," Williamson said.
"I mean, gosh, the injuries that we've had and the guys that are coming in and contributing like they are. I mean, I think in Wellington, across our four bowlers, there were about seven Test matches between them and to see them come in and do as well as they've done has been fantastic. So going into, you know, a big sort of Test 18 months, with a real battery of fast bowlers is exciting, and certainly going to England and Australia, etc. are really sort of mouth-watering prospects and great opportunities because they are tough tours."
Williamson is New Zealand's highest run-scorer in Test cricket, with 9461 runs in 108 games at an average of nearly 55. If he makes himself available for the upcoming tours, he could become the first New Zealander to 10,000 Test runs.
"For me it's about contribution [to the team]. I've never really played for, you know... just never used this team for my own personal gain, and I know cricket's sort of saturated in stats, but you're wanting to go out and contribute to a team that you care about, so whatever runs you get are not really yours, they're for the team."
Former Black Caps opener and current TVNZ cricket commentator Mark Richardson said this morning he would not be surprised if this was Williamson's final home Test and potentially his final Test ever.
"I hope he lets us all know, though, because there are thousands if not millions of cricket fans in this country who want to know if it's his last game," Richardson said.
"They want to watch him play for the last time and they want to celebrate his career. It would devastate me it he were to sail off into the sunset and no one actually realised. Don't give him the whole... guard of honour rubbish. He doesn't want that. But I would love him to say 'guys, thanks for everything, this is my final Test'."
The final day of the third Test between New Zealand and the West Indies is being broadcast exclusively live on TVNZ+ and Duke.
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