Kane Williamson steps down as New Zealand captain with Tim Southee named as replacement

Tim Southee (right) volition regenerate Kane Williamson arsenic Test skipper connected their upcoming circuit of Pakistan

Kane Williamson has stepped down arsenic New Zealand Test captain, with Tim Southee named arsenic his replacement.

The batter was appointed Test skipper successful 2016 erstwhile helium replaced existent England manager Brendon McCullum, and has won 22 of his 40 Tests successful charge.

"Captaining the Black Caps successful Test cricket has been an incredibly peculiar honour," Williamson said.

"Captaincy comes with an accrued workload connected and disconnected the tract and astatine this signifier of my vocation I consciousness the clip is close for this decision."

Williamson led New Zealand to the World Cup last successful 2019 and the T20 World Cup last successful 2021, which they mislaid to England and Australia.

His broadside were past crowned World Test Champions arsenic they bushed India astatine the Ageas Bowl, Southampton successful 2021.

Currently ranked fig six successful the World Test batting rankings, Williamson scored 3,331 runs arsenic skipper astatine an mean of 57.43 - the highest of immoderate New Zealand captain.

Fast bowler Southee, 34, has represented the Black Caps connected 346 occasions and has led the T20 broadside 22 times.

He volition go New Zealand's 31st Test skipper erstwhile they statesman their circuit of Pakistan connected Boxing Day, which consists of 2 Tests, 3 ODIs and 5 T20s.

"It's been a surreal fewer days and it's conscionable a monolithic honour to beryllium appointed arsenic Test captain," said Southee.

"I emotion Test cricket, it's the eventual situation and I'm truly excited by the accidental to pb the squad successful this format."