Kane Williamson stuns cricket world in bombshell Test announcement

Kane Williamson has stunned the cricket world after announcing he is stepping down as New Zealand's Test captain. The 32-year-old will continue to lead the Black Caps in T20 and ODI cricket, but is handing over the Test captaincy to Tim Southee.

Williamson has captain New Zealand in 40 Test matches, registering 22 wins, eight draws and 10 losses. He took over as Kiwi skipper in 2016 after Brendon McCullum. The star batter has scored 11 of his 24 Test centuries as captain.

'ALMOST FORGOTTEN': Steve Smith hit with explosive new claims

HUGE CALL: Aussie coach addresses David Warner's Test future

Williamson stressed that he will still play all three formats, but wants to be free of the added stress of being captain in the longer format of the game. Southee has played 346 internationals for New Zealand and has led the T20 side on 22 occasions.

The 34-year-old will become New Zealand's 31st Test captain when he leads the team on this month's tour of Pakistan. Tom Latham has been confirmed as the Test team's vice-captain, having previously led the side in Williamson's absence.

"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," Williamson said in a statement on Thursday. "After discussions with NZC (New Zealand Cricket), we felt that continuing to captain the white-ball formats was preferable with two World Cups in the next two years.

"I'm excited to support Tim as captain and Tom as vice-captain. Having played with both of them for most of my career, I'm confident they'll do a great job. Playing for the Black Caps and contributing in all three formats is my number one priority and I'm looking forward to the cricket we have ahead."

Cricket world reacts to news about Kane Williamson

Black Caps coach Gary Stead said he hoped the move would help prolong Williamson's international career. The coach backed Southee to bring a "slightly different perspective" to the Test captaincy role.

"Kane's guided the Test team through an immensely successful period which is testament to his ability to bring people together and work towards a common goal," Stead said. "We hope by lessening his workload we can continue to see the best of Kane Williamson for longer on the international stage."

Stead described new skipper Southee as "a quality leader with a good cricket brain". He added: "He will also come from a slightly different perspective in being a bowler which I'm sure will also bring with it new ideas and fresh thinking."

Williamson has played 88 Tests overall for New Zealand, scoring 7368 runs at an exemplary average of 52.62. He has played 156 ODIs and 87 T20 internationals, amassing a further 6390 and 2464 runs respectively across the shorter formats. Fans and commentators have flocked to social media with a vast array of reactions to Williamson's announcement.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.