KANE YOU BELIEVE IT!

Williamson retirement and Stokes exclusion leaves second Test short of star power

- ANDY DUNN

IF, AT the start of the series, you had said England and New Zealand would have gone into the second Test at the Oval without Ben Stokes and Kane Williamson, you would have been given long odds against it.

But after Stokes was not selected for disciplinary reasons, Williamson has now retired from all international cricket with immediate effect.

“I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand,” said Williamson (right), who played in 110 Tests, scoring 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06.

“Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my terms.”

Both 35, Williamson is only 10 months older than Stokes, one of his great adversaries during a magnificent international career.