01 Apr, 2025 | 04:26 AM

Kane Williamson, the former New Zealand captain and one of cricket's most revered figures, has expressed his support for the introduction of designated international windows to improve the structure and fairness of the World Test Championship (WTC). Williamson, who led New Zealand to the inaugural WTC title in 2021, believes that a more balanced schedule could make the competition more even for all teams.

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) cricket committee is set to review potential changes to the WTC format ahead of the 2025-27 cycle, with key discussions expected when it meets in Zimbabwe later this month. Among those advocating for change is England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Thompson, who has called for "a fairer, better competition" in light of criticism surrounding uneven scheduling and a points system that some players, like Ben Stokes, have described as "utterly confusing."

Williamson, who has played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s rise in international cricket, noted the current WTC structure, which sees countries like Australia, England, and India play significantly more fixtures than others, as "not ideal." He emphasized the need for better scheduling to level the playing field for all nations participating in the competition.

The concept of introducing four protected 21-day international windows per year, as proposed by the World Cricketers' Association (WCA), has received backing from Williamson. "If you can prioritise windows where teams are playing each other consistently and somewhat evenly, then I think it just makes the WTC a slightly more level competition," Williamson told ESPNcricinfo.

He acknowledged that the context and stakes in Test cricket have increased, and that teams are pushing harder for results, which has led to fewer drawn matches. Reflecting on his own experience, Williamson said winning the inaugural WTC final in 2021 was a momentous achievement for New Zealand and added: "You put a tournament in front of somebody or a team, and they're always quite keen to win it."

However, he also pointed out that the uneven nature of the WTC schedule, particularly with South Africa only playing 12 Tests in the 2023-25 cycle, has prompted criticism regarding the competition's fairness. "Naturally, the fact that it's different for each team is not ideal," Williamson said. "Any time you get the opportunity to review after a two-year Test Championship window, to try and tweak it a little bit, that's fine."

While Williamson supports tweaking the WTC's format, he also recognized the challenge of creating a fair balance between teams given the limited number of months in a year. "It's tricky though: there’s 12 months in a year, right? That’s difficult."

Beyond the WTC, Williamson also shared his thoughts on the state of 50-over cricket, suggesting that the format has already "given way" to shorter formats. He stressed that while the ODI World Cup remains the pinnacle of the format, the evolving cricket calendar might push 50-over cricket further into the background.

The rise of franchise cricket, particularly in leagues like the IPL, has also presented a challenge for national boards, especially for smaller countries like New Zealand. "There’s so much cricket happening in the world, and so many different opportunities for players," Williamson said. "The interesting part is what messages that sends to your young players, and what they aspire to be now."

At 34, Williamson’s priorities are shifting as he continues to play across various formats. Although he declined a central contract for the 2024-25 season in favor of participating in the SA20 and other franchise leagues, he reaffirmed his commitment to New Zealand cricket. He is also scheduled to play in the PSL, T20 Blast, and the Hundred later this year.

"The fact that there are no clear windows that meet everybody’s needs is the tough part," Williamson admitted. "If you do have clear windows, and you do allow that full focus, then you can just take your attention there. What we’re seeing a lot is players having to make decisions [themselves], and that takes away a little bit from one part, whether it's the international or the franchise space."

Despite these changes, Williamson remains passionate about representing New Zealand and is eager to continue his international career, especially as he balances cricket with family life. "I still absolutely love playing for New Zealand and I’m looking forward to doing that again in the future," he said.