Early Life & Background
Kane Stuart Williamson was born on 8 August 1990 in Tauranga, New Zealand, into a sports-loving family. His father, Brett, played under-17 cricket, while his mother, Sandra, represented New Zealand in basketball. He has a twin brother, Logan, and three older sisters, with his grandmother even serving as the mayor of Taupō.
Kane began playing senior representative cricket at just 14 and made his first-class debut at 16 with Northern Districts in December 2007 while still at Tauranga Boys’ College. He amassed over 40 centuries during his school career. In 2008, he captained New Zealand’s Under-19 side at the World Cup, emerging as a leader and anchoring the batting with 366 runs at an average above 50.
Personal Traits & Lifestyle
Williamson is known for his calm demeanor, mental resilience, and technical mastery, earning him comparisons to legends like Martin Crowe. He bats right-handed with elegant strokeplay and bowls occasional off-spin. On the field, he adapts seamlessly across formats—from Test patience to T20 aggression.
Off the pitch, Williamson is quiet yet thoughtful. He values teamwork and harmony, inspiring his teammates through example. His disciplined training and focus allow him to maintain high performance, even under pressure. Beyond cricket, he enjoys a simple and grounded lifestyle. His hobbies include playing the guitar, surfing, reading, and spending time in nature. He also has a keen interest in photography and often uses his downtime to explore new places with his camera. Additionally, Williamson is a dog lover and often shares moments with his pet on social media. These hobbies help him maintain a balanced life and stay mentally refreshed, contributing to his composed and steady presence both on and off the field.
Personal Life
Kane married Sarah Raheem in 2016, and they share three children—two daughters and a son. He is also the cousin of international cricketer Dane Cleaver. Known for his humility and philanthropy, he donated his entire match fee during the 2014 Pakistan tour to Peshawar victims.
Youth & Domestic Career
Williamson debuted for Northern Districts in 2007 and quickly became their mainstay. In the 2009–10 Plunket Shield, he averaged a remarkable 72.66, prompting national selection. In T20s, his 101* in the 2014 Champions League Twenty20 helped his team dominate.
He played English county cricket for Gloucestershire (2011–12), Yorkshire (2013–18), and later signed with Middlesex for the 2025 season. His county stints sharpened his skills in diverse conditions.
International Career
Williamson debuted in ODIs on 10 August 2010 against India and in Tests on 4 November 2010—hit a debut century (131) in Ahmedabad. He also captained the U-19 side in 2008.
He assumed full-time national captaincy in 2016, leading New Zealand to major ICC finals: the 2019 World Cup, 2021 World Test Championship (winner), and 2021 T20 World Cup. After stepping down as Test captain in late 2022, he continued in white-ball roles until mid-2024 .
On 27 February 2023, Williamson became New Zealand’s all-time leading Test run-scorer. In February 2025, he ended a long ODI century drought with his 14th ton.
| Format |
Matches |
Innings |
Runs |
Balls Faced |
Highest Score |
Average |
Strike Rate |
| Test |
105 |
186 |
9,276 |
17,913 |
251 |
54.89 |
51.79 |
| ODI |
173 |
165 |
7,236 |
8,853 |
148 |
48.89 |
81.74 |
| T20I |
93 |
90 |
2,575 |
2,094 |
95 |
33.01 |
122.98 |
IPL Career
Williamson starred for Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2015 to 2022. He led SRH to the IPL final in 2016, winning the Orange Cap in 2018 with 735 runs. He captained SRH in 2018 and 2021, though 2022 lacked personal success .
Ahead of IPL 2023, Gujarat Titans purchased him, but a first-match injury ruled him out . He remained a coveted T20 leader and performer.
Fitness, Injuries & Comebacks
Williamson’s career includes measured breaks for injuries. In early 2023, he suffered a knee injury and underwent nine months of rehab. He returned for the World Cup and T20I series in early 2024, successfully resuming captaincy.
He also stepped back from captaincy (white-ball) in 2024 to manage workload . His disciplined approach ensures peak fitness and mental sharpness across formats.