New Zealand top-order star batsman Kane Williamson has been named as the Black Caps captain in all three formats.
The 25-year-old Kiwi has already led the national side in 36 short-form games, his recent captaincy came during the recent ICC World Twenty20 semi-finals in India after Brendon McCullum’s international retirement.
The right-handed batsman becomes the 34th captain of his country to led the Black Caps in any full international format on the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa in July and August, with the team is scheduled to play two tests in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Kane Williamson confirmed as the 34th captain to skipper the BLACKCAPS: https://t.co/vzG5Gy1Ocj #CaptainKane pic.twitter.com/SrvApplXDo
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 28, 2016
“Kane has been a leader within the team for a long time now and already shown himself to be an extremely capable captain,” NZ Cricket chief executive David White said.
“He’s respected by his peers and the wider cricket community for his professional approach both on and off the field, and has a superb cricket brain.”
Williamson is currently playing in the Indian Premier League with Sunrisers Hyderabad, said he was lucky to have an experienced core of players around him for support.
“It’s certainly an honour,” said Williamson. “I’ve really enjoyed my time spent as a captain and believe this team can achieve a lot. I’m lucky to have a number of experienced players around me for support and will certainly look to utilise this.“
Williamson made his ODI debut against India in 2010, has played 48 Tests, 93 ODIs and 35 T20 internationals for New Zealand.