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Kane Williamson has stepped down as New Zealand Test captain, with Tim Southee named as his replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n Williamson, 32, will remain as captain for the one-day international and Twenty20 sides.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The batter was appointed Test skipper in 2016 when he replaced current England coach Brendon McCullum, and has won 22 of his 40 Tests in charge.<\/span><\/p>\n “Captaining the Black Caps in Test cricket has been an incredibly special honour,” Williamson said.<\/span><\/p>\n “Captaincy comes with an increased workload on and off the field and at this stage of my career I feel the time is right for this decision.”<\/span><\/p>\n Williamson led New Zealand to the World Cup final in 2019 and the T20 World Cup final in 2021, which they lost to England and Australia. <\/span><\/p>\n His side were then crowned World Test Champions as they beat India at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton in 2021. <\/span><\/p>\n Currently ranked number six in the World Test batting rankings, Williamson scored 3,331 runs as captain at an average of 57.43 – the highest of any New Zealand captain.<\/span><\/p>\n Fast bowler Southee, 34, has represented the Black Caps on 346 occasions and has led the T20 side 22 times.<\/span><\/p>\n He will become New Zealand’s 31st Test captain when they begin their tour of Pakistan on Boxing Day, which consists of two Tests, three ODIs and five T20s.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s been a surreal few days and it’s just a massive honour to be appointed as Test captain,” said Southee.<\/span><\/p>\n