We might just be witnessing the end of New Zealand’s golden era. The T20 World Cup 2024 might just be the last time we see Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, and Trent Boult play together in an ICC event. The trio have been playing together since 2011 and have taken the Kiwis to ICC finals in all three formats.
Trent Boult says bye
Boult has already announced that the current T20 World Cup will be his last. The left-arm pacer hasn’t been playing for New Zealand since 2022. The 34-year-old had declined the central contract and instead decided to play in leagues all over the globe. He hasn’t played a Test since 2022, so that rules out his chances of playing the World Test Champions. He played in the ODI World Cup 2023 in India, but there is no guarantee that he’ll return to play in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Tim Southee on the wane
New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker has been underwhelming for a while now. He may have done well in the ongoing T20 World Cup, but across all formats, he’s punched under his weight. He averages 71 this year in Tests; he failed in the ODI World Cup last year; and he hasn’t played a single ODI this year. T20I is the only format he’s succeeded in in the past couple of years, but given his age (35 years), it won’t be shocking if he doesn’t make it to the next T20 World Cup in 2026.
T20 World Cup
Kane Williamson, not going anywhere
Since coming back from his elbow injury, Williamson has continued to thrive. He’s done extremely well in ODIs in the last couple of years after going through a rough patch in 2020 and 2021. In Tests, he’s not averaged under 50 in a year since 2016. His T20I numbers aren’t great, but given how New Zealand wants him to bat (anchor), that isn’t a major concern either. The only way he doesn’t play for at least 2-4 more years is if his love for the game diminishes and he steps away.
In the end, it might not be that Williamson remains alone from the golden generation. Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor, who were senior members when the trio came through, were part of the generation as well, but it’ll be truly over when these three senior statesmen of New Zealand cricket leave.
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