Kane

Williamson

Kane Williamson Biography and Career

Widely regarded as one of the finest batsmen in modern cricket, Kane Williamson is among the highest run-scorers in international cricket. Williamson was born into a family that is passionate about sports. His father, Brett, had played under-17 and club cricket in New Zealand, while his mother, Sandra, was a representative basketball player. He has a twin brother, Logan, and three older sisters, all of whom were accomplished volleyball players. His first cousin, Dane Cleaver, played international cricket for New Zealand.

A right-handed batsman and an occasional off spin bowler, Williamson had scored about 40 centuries in all formats and levels of cricket by the time he graduated out of high school. 

A 17-year-old Williamson debuted for Northern Districts in 2007 and has played for them throughout his New Zealand domestic career. In English county cricket, he played for Gloucestershire in 2011 and later joined Yorkshire in 2013. He was part of Yorkshire's County Championship-winning squad in 2014 and returned for short stints in 2015, 2016, and 2018.

At 17, Williamson captained New Zealand's Under-19 team in the 2008 World Cup, leading them to the semi-finals before losing to India. He made his ODI debut against India on 10 August 2010, getting out for a duck in his first two matches. He scored his maiden ODI century against Bangladesh on 14 October 2010, becoming New Zealand’s youngest centurion.

Williamson made his Test debut against India in November 2010, scoring 131 off 299 balls, becoming the eighth New Zealander to hit a century on debut. The numbers kept getting better in all three formats of the game. He finished 2015 with 2,692 international runs, the highest across all formats that year and the third-highest ever in a single year.

In August 2016, Williamson became the youngest and fastest player to score a Test century against all Test-playing nations. In March 2018, he set a New Zealand record for most Test centuries, reaching his 18th. Earlier, in March 2016, Williamson became New Zealand’s captain in all formats after Brendon McCullum’s retirement, starting with the World T20 in India. He led New Zealand to victory in the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final. Under his captaincy, New Zealand reached the finals of the 2019 Cricket World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup. He was also part of the New Zealand squad that finished as runners-up in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. His captaincy record for New Zealand includes a 50.54% winning percentage in ODIs and 22 wins in 40 Tests. Williamson stepped down as the white-ball captain in June 2024 following their early exit from the T20 World Cup. He had previously relinquished the Test captaincy in December 2022

In the IPL, Kane Williamson was first signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015 for under $100,000 but had limited opportunities. He was part of the team’s title-winning campaign in 2016 and was retained in 2017 for $460,500. In 2018, after David Warner’s ban, Williamson was made captain and had a stellar season, scoring 735 runs at an average of 52.50 and a strike rate of 142.44. He led SRH to the final, where they lost to Chennai Super Kings. In the IPL 2025 auction, Williamson went unsold.

Williamson is among the elite "Fab Four" in cricket alongside Virat Kohli, Joe Root, and Steve Smith.

Beyond cricket 

As of recent estimates, Kane Williamson's net worth is approximately $10 million (around ₹83.89 crore). His primary income sources include his annual salary of $300,000 from New Zealand Cricket, earnings from the IPL - he has amassed over Rs 30 crore from the tournament until 2024, and various brand endorsements. He is the face of brands like Powerade, Rockit, and Asics.

Kane Williamson is in a long-term relationship with Sarah Raheem, a British-born nurse. The couple has been together since 2015 and prefers to keep their relationship private. 

Originally from Bristol, Sarah moved to New Zealand where she works as a nurse. Williamson first came across her when he was undergoing treatment for an injury at the hospital where Sarah worked. If various stories are to be believed, the couple fell in love at first sight.

In December 2020, they welcomed their first child, a daughter. In May 2022, they were blessed with a son. Off the field, Williamson is known for his calm demeanour, humility, and sportsmanship. 

Records 

Kane Williamson Test records 

Most Test runs by a New Zealand batsman: Holds the record for the most Test runs by a New Zealand batsman, with a total of 9,276 runs.

A century on debut (2010): Scored a century on his Test debut against India in November 2010.

Fastest to 5000 runs (2018): achieved in 110 innings, becoming the fastest batsman from New Zealand to reach this milestone.

Fastest to 9000 runs (2024): Reached 9000 Test runs in 182 innings, making him the fastest batsman from New Zealand to reach this milestone.

First to notch centuries in five consecutive matches at a single venue (2024): scored his 33rd Test century at Hamilton in December 2024, which was his fifth consecutive at the venue. 

Most centuries by a New Zealand batter in Test cricket: As of February 2025, he has 33 Test centuries in 186 innings. 

Most double centuries by a New Zealand batter in Test cricket: As of February 2025, he has six double centuries in 186 innings.

Most runs in World Test championship: has scored the most runs for New Zealand in the WTC from 2019 to 2024, with 2822 runs in 50 innings.

Kane Williamson ODI records 

Second-fastest to 7000 ODI runs (2024): became the fastest cricketer to reach 7,000 ODI runs, achieving this milestone in just 159 innings, surpassing Virat Kohli's previous record of 161 innings.

Youngest centurion for New Zealand (2010): achieved with his ODI century against Bangladesh at 20 years and 67 days. 

Kane Williamson T20I records 

Most matches as captain of a team: played 75 T20I matches as captain, winning 39 and losing 34.

Kane Williamson World Cup records 

Player of the Tournament (2019): for scoring 578 runs across 10 matches. 

Highest-scoring captain in a single World Cup (2019): scored 578 runs across 10 matches as captain of the team. 

1000 runs in ODI World Cups (2023): became the third New Zealand batter to achieve milestone after Stephen Fleming and Ross Taylor.

Kane Williamson Overall records 

Most runs in a calendar year across formats (2015): scored 2692 runs across formats in 2015, the most by anyone that year. 

Most centuries across formats: has the most centuries for New Zealand across formats (47 in 435 innings).

Kane Williamson IPL records 

Orange Cap (2019): was the top run-scorer that season with 735 runs in 17 matches. 

Third-most runs in a season as captain (2019): achieved with his 735-run tally in 2019.