Kane Williamson replaced by the Indian hero in the New Zealand team for the second Test against England

New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and Will Young celebrate after winning the first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 2024. (PTI Photo) New Zealand have called up Will Young in their Test squad after Kane Williamson retired from international cricket during the ongoing series against England on Friday.Young is expected to arrive in England on Sunday and join the squad for the remaining two Tests, the team announced on Saturday.The call-up comes after Williamson decided to retire from international cricket even though the series is ongoing. The 35-year-old scored 0 and 18 in New Zealand’s defeat by England at Lord’s last week and has subsequently been unavailable for the rest of the series, which resumes at The Oval on Wednesday.Williamson then announced his retirement from all international cricket.Young played a key role in New Zealand’s 3–0 Test series win in India in 2024. He was New Zealand’s second highest run-scorer in that series, scoring 244 runs in three Tests at an average of 48.80.Meanwhile, Williamson explained his decision:“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but in the last few days it’s become clear that now is the right time.”Since his debut in 2010, Williamson leaves the game as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in Tests, Men’s World Cup ODIs and T20s, as well as all three formats combined.He has scored 19,346 runs and hit 48 centuries across formats.In Test cricket, Williamson has made 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06. His record includes 33 centuries, one on debut against India in Ahmedabad, and six double centuries. His highest score was 251 against West Indies in 2020.Williamson captained New Zealand in 206 of his 378 international matches. During his tenure, New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021 and reached the finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup.

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Reflecting on his career, Williamson said:“I’ve always felt a strong desire and hunger for international cricket and I’m proud to know that I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand. To continue with anything less would not be right.”“It’s a team I love and I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of it for so long. It will continue to be dear to me. I leave feeling optimistic about where this group is going. There’s a huge amount of talent and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team.”New Zealand will continue the England series without Williamson and Young will now join the squad ahead of the second Test at the Oval.