He firmed up his decision over the subsequent days after conversations with his parents and his partner, and told a close circle – some senior players, including captain Tom Latham, head coach Rob Walter and team manager Mike Sandle – that his time was up. “It just feels like the right time for me to step away,” he explained.

The timing of Williamson’s decision came as a shock, one match into a three-Test series and with a bumper 2026-27 season featuring series against India and Australia on the horizon. But he said that he had no interest in “being on a team sheet and adding a couple of games” to the record without being fully committed, and that he had realised his time was up.

“When I look at the dressing room now and I see the talent, and the journey that I think this team’s looking to go on, it just feels like the right time for me to step away,” Williamson said. “I feel really good about it. It’s funny when you reflect on so much, but all good things come to an end, and it’s the change of seasons.”

Williamson has gradually decreased his workload as an international player since turning down a central contract two years ago, a decision which has allowed him to miss some series to play franchise cricket or spend more time with his young family.

“Just as someone that cared deeply about the team, always wanted to do more, and was deeply committed to my craft as a cricketer. I’m really, really grateful for it all.”

Kane Williamson on how he would like to be remembered

He hinted before the first Test that he was unlikely to return to Lord’s as a player and said on Friday that he had been “getting comfortable” with retirement since that match, in which he made 0 and 18 in a low-scoring defeat.

“I didn’t have it [retirement] in mind,” he said. “You’re at the pointy end, and so you’re wanting to just value every experience and really commit because that’s what you have done and that’s what you expect of everybody else in the group and they certainly all do that in a big way. And yeah, [there was] a little bit of reflection.

“Obviously that was an interesting match in itself, but [I was] sitting up there on the [dressing-room] balcony and thinking a bit about it, and then just taking a bit of time in the days post that to get comfortable with it… I really like the space of being really grateful for the time I’ve had with this New Zealand cricket team, and then also the excitement and potential I see in the group.”

Williamson will turn 36 in August and said that he felt comfortable stepping away knowing that he was still worth his place, rather than clinging on. “It does feel good to not exhaust it, because it’s not just about me, this decision,” he said. “There’s a lot of factors and a deep care for the team.”

He said that he felt comfortable with the decision to play his last match overseas – “playing that last game at Lord’s is kind of cool” – rather than in front of a home crowd, and to slip away quietly rather than have a farewell appearance. “I’ve got too much respect for this team and where it’s wanting to go,” he explained.

Williamson will stay with the squad for the coming days but said that he will be “giving the team a bit of space” and that his decision would enable other leaders to emerge. “I remember the day when other leaders in our team left and there’s steps to take, and I think me stepping away allows that as well,” he said.

The timing is a blow to New Zealand’s hopes of overturning a 1-0 deficit to win this series in England, as Walter acknowledged: “You don’t lose Kane Williamson off the team sheet and get stronger, because he’s a legend.” Henry Nicholls is the spare batter but Walter declined to say who will bat at No. 3 at The Oval, with Rachin Ravindra shifting up from No. 4 as an alternative.

“Everyone is asking, ‘Why in the middle of the series?’ but you hear his reasons and you understand fully,” Walter said. “That’s the person that he is, and just [shows] the regard that he holds the team to not just carry on because it’s the end of a series, but actually to hand the opportunity to someone else who would take his place and fill a more long-term role for this team.”

Williamson reflected on his career, citing the 2021 World Test Championship final win over India in Southampton as a highlight. “It was this real evolving of a side to get where we got to, and to put out strong performances and repeat that, to see some of that success after the ups and downs that we experienced. It was great, but more for those reasons rather than just a win.”

He added: “It’s funny: you remember your first Test and it was just the best thing ever. [Even] if it was never to happen again, you’ve got your baggy [cap], it’s incredible. You have a few more, and 16 years later, you’re standing here and you’re having a choice to make this decision. It’s incredible, when you reflect on it… It’s been a journey.”

As for how he would like to be remembered? “Oh gosh, I didn’t prepare for this one,” Williamson said with a smile. “Just as someone that cared deeply about the team, always wanted to do more, and was deeply committed to my craft as a cricketer. I’m really, really grateful for it all.”

He has only retired from international cricket at this stage, and said he was uncertain about whether he would continue to play on the franchise circuit. “I’m just going to cross that bridge when I come to it. [I have] no plans as such in the playing department, but we’ll see.”

Williamson looks likely to move into coaching, having spent the two months before this tour at the IPL as a ‘strategic advisor’ with Lucknow Super Giants. “I had a little bit of time in the coaching space and enjoyed that,” he said. “We’ll see. The next step here is to have a chat with all of you, take a few days with the family and have a look at what’s next.”