Tim Southee delighted with Kane Williamson's comeback

Southee, who retired from all formats in December 2024, recently shared his excitement about Williamson's successful return to the 50-over format after a hiatus of nearly 15 months. Williamson made his comeback in the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa, joining the Kiwi squad after a long absence from the format.

Although the star batter faced some struggles in his first match, he still managed to score a half-century with a solid knock of 58 runs from 89 balls. In his following game, Williamson looked in peak form, smashing an outstanding 133 not out off 113 balls to help New Zealand chase down 305, marking his 14th ODI century.

Southee has since praised Williamson's performance and his impressive return to the game.

"Kane is in great form, and it's really nice to see him contributing with a couple of good scores. He's pure class," Southee remarked. "He hasn't played much one-day cricket in recent years, but seeing him come back and make two significant contributions is exactly what we're used to. For me, as a Black Caps fan, it's also a pleasure to watch him play. When he's out there, his experience shows, and the way he plays, he just looks in control throughout."

In addition to his remarkable return, Williamson made another valuable contribution in the final of the tri-series, scoring 34 runs from 49 balls. This helped New Zealand defeat Pakistan by five wickets and secure the tournament victory. Williamson finished the series as the second-highest run-scorer, accumulating 225 runs across three innings at an impressive average of 112.50.

Now, at 34 years old, Williamson will be eager to maintain his form heading into the Champions Trophy. New Zealand will begin their campaign on February 19 in Karachi, where they are placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The team will look to continue their winning momentum and aim for their second Champions Trophy title.

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