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Photograph: Mark Lockett (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Kane Williamson

Batter · New Zealand

Born

8 August 1990, Tauranga

Batting

Right-handed

Bowling

Right-arm off break

Shirt

22

251Test top score, v West Indies 2020

148ODI top score, v West Indies 2019

95T20I top score, v India 2020

Kane Williamson is a former New Zealand batter playing for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20 Season 5. Born in Tauranga, he retired from international cricket in June 2026 as New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer. He captained New Zealand to the first World Test Championship title in 2021. This is his first ILT20 season.

Kane Williamson Biography: Quick Facts

Early life

Kane Williamson was born on 8 August 1990 in Tauranga, on New Zealand's North Island, and grew up in the Mount Maunganui area. He attended Tauranga Boys' College from 2004 to 2008 and was head boy in his final year. He played senior representative cricket at 14 and made his first-class debut for Northern Districts in December 2007, aged 17. He captained New Zealand at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. His father Brett played club cricket and his mother Sandra played representative basketball, so sport was part of daily life at home.

Family and personal life

Kane's twin brother is Logan, and he has three older sisters. His long-term partner is Sarah Raheem. They have three children. Their first child, daughter Maggie, was born in December 2020. Kane keeps his family life largely private, and this page does not publish details beyond what the family has shared publicly.

Domestic and franchise career

Williamson has played for Northern Districts since the 2007-08 season. He also played county cricket for Gloucestershire and Yorkshire. In the IPL he joined Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015 and was part of their title-winning side in 2016. He captained Sunrisers in 2018 and led them to the final. He won the Orange Cap that season with 735 runs. He moved to Gujarat Titans in 2023, but injury ended his season in the first match, and he returned in 2024. He has also played for Durban's Super Giants in South Africa's SA20, for Karachi Kings in the PSL in 2025, and for London Spirit in The Hundred, whom he captained in 2025. After retiring from international cricket he took a strategic advisor role with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL in 2026. The ILT20 is his newest stop: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders signed him for Season 5.

International career

Williamson's senior New Zealand career began with his ODI debut against India at Dambulla on 10 August 2010. His Test debut followed against India at Ahmedabad on 4 November 2010, when he scored 131. His T20I debut came against Zimbabwe at Harare on 15 October 2011. He took over as New Zealand captain in all three formats in 2016. He led the side to the 2019 ODI World Cup final, where he was named Player of the Tournament, and to the first World Test Championship title in 2021, beating India in the final. He also led New Zealand to the 2021 T20 World Cup final, top-scoring with 85 against Australia. He stepped down as Test captain in December 2022 and as white-ball captain in June 2024. He declined a New Zealand central contract in 2024. He retired from T20Is in November 2025. He announced his full international retirement on 12 June 2026, after the first Test against England at Lord's.

Records and achievements

Williamson's record is built on long, calm innings. His biggest verified marks are:

• New Zealand's all-time leading international run-scorer, with 19,346 runs in 378 matches and 48 centuries.
• Most Test runs for New Zealand: 9,515 runs in 110 matches, with 33 centuries and six double centuries, a New Zealand record.
• Player of the Tournament at the 2019 ODI World Cup.
• Captain of the side that won the first World Test Championship final, against India in 2021.
• IPL Orange Cap winner in 2018, with 735 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
• Sir Richard Hadlee Medal winner four times, a record.

Kane Williamson's Net Worth and Salary

Kane Williamson's net worth is not a confirmed number. Media reports in 2026 estimate it at roughly USD 10–15 million, so this page uses that range rather than a single figure. The figure is an estimate, not a confirmed number. His income came from a New Zealand central contract and match fees until he declined a central contract in 2024, and from franchise deals. Reported league earnings include ₹2 crore with Gujarat Titans in the IPL in 2023. He later took a strategic advisor role with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL in 2026.

Kane Williamson in ILT20 Season 5

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders signed Kane Williamson for ILT20 Season 5, his first season in the league. Jason Holder captains the side. He joins a 20-player squad for a season that runs from 21 November to 20 December 2026. All ten league fixtures for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are below.

No Season 5 match has been played yet, so there are no Season 5 numbers for this player. This section will be updated as matches are played.

Career stats

Career totals: 378 matches, 19,346 runs, 48 hundreds, 103 fifties. Statistics as of June 2026.

Conclusion

Kane Williamson's career is defined by calm batting and calm leadership: 19,346 international runs, 48 centuries, and a World Test Championship title as captain. His move to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders brings that record to the ILT20, and this page will be updated as the season is played.

More coverage: the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad, the Season 5 schedule and the full players index.