New Delhi, June 13 -- Kane Williamson has decided that enough, finally, is enough. New Zealand's greatest modern batter announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday, walking away in the middle of the team's series in England with the quiet certainty that defined the way he batted. "I've thought about it for a while," he said, "but over the last few days it's become clear now is the right time."

The numbers alone make the case for his standing in the game. Williamson leaves with 9,515 Test runs at an average of 54.06, a mark bettered by very few in the format's history, along with 33 Test centuries and a highest score of 251. Add 7,256 one day international runs and another 2,575 in Twenty20 internationals and the shape o...