Kane Williamson has confirmed his participation in the SA20 2025 after turning down the New Zealand central contract and stepping down as captain after their T20 World Cup 2024 exit.

The former New Zealand captain emphasized that it was New Zealand Cricket’s rules that forced him to take the decision. He remains committed to playing outside of New Zealand and has not indicated at retirement.

“There’s a number of great competitions on during that time, but SA20 looks really exciting,” Williamson told reporters on his return to New Zealand after the T20 World Cup. “Unfortunately, it meant turning down a central contract, however my priority still is, absolutely, playing for New Zealand. Think I miss maybe a handful of games over a three-week period.

“It’s simply the contract, the rules that currently exist meant I wasn’t able to have one but in terms of playing for New Zealand I’m not missing almost any cricket really, so that was important to me.”

Williamson could likely miss the three-match ODIs and as many T20Is against Sri Lanka. However, the Stuff reported that the Kiwi stalwart’s participation in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in September remains in doubt.

Meanwhile, Williamson will feature in the WTC against Sri Lanka and India away from home, three-match home series against England, and then feature in the ODI series against Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy.