Former Australia opener David Warner has paid a sort of tribute to Kane Williamson after the New Zealand star announced his retirement from international cricket. Warner’s message came shortly after Williamson confirmed he’d be stepping away from the international game, so basically an end to a career that stretched 16 years, or something like that.

 

Williamson made that call on June 12 during New Zealand’s tour of England. The timing matters because it lands just ahead of the second Test, which is set to kick off next week. The former New Zealand captain walks away from the global arena as one of the best batters and leaders his country has produced.

 

Over the years, Williamson collected a lot of respect from teammates, opponents and fans for that quiet attitude, his steady consistency, and his sportsmanship too. Now, with the retirement, tributes started pouring in from various players across cricket, and Warner was among the newest names to speak up.

 

Strong bond , through Sunrisers Hyderabad

 

Even though Warner and Williamson spent years going head to head in international cricket, they also ended up sharing a strong and successful time at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

 

They both turned out for the franchise from 2015 to 2021 and were teammates in 42 matches. They were also part of that Sunrisers Hyderabad group which lifted the IPL trophy in 2016.

 

Williamson then had one of those standout seasons in 2018, when he took over the captaincy after Warner’s suspension. Under his control, Sunrisers Hyderabad made it all the way to the IPL final. That year he racked up 735 runs, and finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, picking up the Orange Cap.

 

All of those performances, plus that leadership , made him one of the more important figures in the franchise’s story.

 

Also Read | “From an Opponent to a Friend” – Virat Kohli’s Emotional Message for Kane Williamson After Retirement Wins Hearts

 

Warner shares emotional message

 

Soon after Williamson announced his retirement, Warner jumped onto Instagram to congratulate his old teammate and friend for a remarkable career.

 

David Warner said:

 

“Kano, It's been an absolute privilege to play both alongside you and against you over the years. The runs the records and the achievements speak for themselves but what has always stood out most to me is the person behind it all. You've been one of the genuine good blokes of world cricket humble, respectful, and someone who played the game in the right spirit every single time you walked onto the field.”

“Whether we were teammates or opponents I always loved sharing the field with you because you brought out the best in everyone around you. Congratulations on an incredible career mate. It's been an honour to call you a teammate an opponent, and most importantly, a friend. Wishing you and the family all the best for whatever comes next.”

 

The post didn’t stay quiet for long, it quickly got attention from cricket fans all over the world. Many pointed out the friendship between the two guys, plus the respect they clearly showed each other across their careers.

 

Williamson’s record-breaking run

 

Williamson retires as New Zealand’s top international run-scorer. In 378 matches he scored 19,346 runs, averaging 48.12. His tally includes 48 centuries along with 103 half-centuries.

 

As captain, he steered New Zealand to finals in the 2019 ODI World Cup, the 2021 World Test Championship, and also the 2021 T20 World Cup. But the biggest moment came in 2021, when New Zealand beat India to take the World Test Championship.

 

He was also named Player of the Tournament at the 2019 ODI World Cup, after driving New Zealand to the final.

 

More recently, Williamson served as a Strategic Advisor for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. And now, stepping away from international cricket, he leaves behind a résumé packed with runs, major achievements, and leadership. His impact on New Zealand cricket, honestly, will stick around for a long time, while tributes like Warner’s keep showing the respect he built across his career.