The New Zealander Kane Williamson will be captaining London Spirit in The Hundred 2025 competition after becoming the competition’s first-ever direct signing.
He will also lead the franchise, taking over the captaincy responsibility from Dan Lawrence after the team finished at the bottom of the points table last year.
The 34-year-old will also play county cricket for Middlesex to spend the English summer season at Lord’s. Notably, the New Zealand batter went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
“Our international schedule has allowed for a bit of break, and I was looking to come to the UK with my family, so when this opportunity arose it was a really exciting prospect,” said Williamson.
“The Home of Cricket is one of my favourite grounds in the world for so many different reasons. I’ve had so many incredible moments there.
Kane Williamson is joining London Spirit! 🤩🇳🇿#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/R64wlOLMaV
— The Hundred (@thehundred) February 17, 2025
“Every player in the world holds Lord’s in the highest regard. They have been able to maintain the tradition around playing there, and that’s what makes it unique to any other place in the world.”
Williamson who has been signed by Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred but failed to play a game due to back injury. the New Zealand batter has already played 39 matches in the Vitality T20 Blast competition since his tournament debut in 2011.
Known as one of the best batters of his generation, has more that 9,000 test runs at an average of 54.88. Playing 262 T20 matches, he has 6675 runs with a batting average of 31.93.
His 93 appearance in T20 format, comes from featuring for New Zealand. He also played 79 IPL matches for two teams, the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans.
Kane also played for Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20 2025 season. Currently Williamson is in Pakistan with New Zealand squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.
The Blackcaps first match of the ICC tournament will be against Pakistan on February 19 at National Stadium Karachi.
