Kane Williamson’s partner is Sarah Raheem, whom he met in 2015, and the couple have three children: a daughter born in December 2020, a son born in 2022 and a second daughter born in early 2024. He quit international cricket on 12 June 2026, and in his new autobiography, Bare Margins, he says leaving a young family behind on tour shifted his priorities.
New Zealand’s greatest batter has been back in the headlines this month. The book landed in shops on 27 October, and coverage has focused on two things: a falling-out with former coach Gary Stead, and how long he had been thinking about stepping away. Here is what is known about Williamson off the field, and where he stands now.
Who is Sarah Raheem?
Sarah Raheem is Kane Williamson’s long-term partner and the mother of his three children. Wikipedia records that he first met her in 2015. New Zealand media have described her as both his partner and his wife. She stays out of the spotlight, and her job, her age and any wedding date have not been confirmed by mainstream New Zealand outlets.
When their first child arrived, 1News reported that Williamson and Raheem had welcomed a baby girl. Most of what the public knows about the couple comes from short birth announcements like that one.
Many searches about Sarah Raheem ask about her religion, ethnicity or nationality. She has never spoken publicly about those things, so we leave them alone.
Does Kane Williamson have children?
Yes. Kane Williamson and Sarah Raheem have three children, two daughters and a son. Each birth meant time away from cricket. He missed a home Test in 2020, flew home from the IPL in 2022, and announced the third baby on Instagram in February 2024 with the line “And then there was 3.”
| Child | Born | What happened in cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Daughter | December 2020 | He played the first Test against the West Indies, scoring 251, then missed the second Test on paternity leave |
| Son | 2022 | He flew home from the IPL in May, when he was captaining Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Daughter | Early 2024 | Announced on Instagram, reported on 28 February 2024 |
The children’s names and photos have been kept private, and we do not publish them.
Why did Kane Williamson retire?
Williamson retired from all international cricket on 12 June 2026, in the middle of a Test series in England. He had scored 0 and 18 in the first Test at Lord’s, which New Zealand lost. He said it was simply time. He had already quit T20 internationals on 2 November 2025 to focus on Test cricket.
In the New Zealand Cricket statement reported by 1News, he said: “I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time.” He added: “Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right, and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.”
He told senior players including captain Tom Latham, head coach Rob Walter and team manager Mike Sandle, and said he had talked the decision over with his parents and his partner. Walter said: “Anyone who’s had the privilege of working with Kane understands he is a very special player and person.”
Kane Williamson’s career in numbers
Williamson finished with 19,346 international runs, more than any other New Zealander. He scored 48 international centuries, six of them double centuries. His Test debut was against India in Ahmedabad in November 2010.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 110 | 9,515 (average 54.06) | 33 |
| ODIs | 175 | 7,256 | 15 |
| T20 internationals | 93 | 2,575 (best 95) | 0 |
As captain he won 22 of his 40 Tests. He led New Zealand to the inaugural World Test Championship title in 2021, beating India in the final. He also captained the side in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final and the 2021 T20 World Cup final. New Zealand Cricket’s retirement statement also noted his record four Sir Richard Hadlee Medals.
What does Kane Williamson say in Bare Margins?
Bare Margins is Kane Williamson’s autobiography, published on 27 October 2026 with a recommended retail price of $49.99. The publisher’s description says it covers his captaincy, the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s and the 2021 World Test Championship win, and McConnell’s review says it also explains why he quit.
Stuff’s coverage focused on his friction with Gary Stead. In a review for Silver Fern Sports, cricket writer Lynn McConnell says the book’s only real acrimony was over Stead not consulting him on selection, and that a long talk at a kitchen table sorted it out. McConnell also writes that Williamson had weighed retirement for about two years. On a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka in September 2024, he found himself asking, “What am I doing here?”
According to the review, his priorities had shifted, because every tour meant leaving a young family behind. The book also credits South African great Hashim Amla as a calming influence and describes meditation as one of his coping tools.
What is Kane Williamson doing now?
His retirement covered international cricket only, and his autobiography came out on 27 October 2026. He has spent about two months at the IPL as a strategic adviser to Lucknow Super Giants. In June he said he had enjoyed “a little bit of time in the coaching space” but would “cross that bridge” on what came next.
His franchise career has taken in Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Middlesex in England, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he won the 2016 IPL title. He has also played for Gujarat Titans, London Spirit, Karachi Kings and Durban’s Super Giants. In 2026 he won the Bangladesh Premier League with Rajshahi Warriors.
Kane Williamson’s family and early life
Kane Stuart Williamson was born in Tauranga on 8 August 1990, so he is 36. His father, Brett, played under-17 and club cricket, and his mother, Sandra, was a representative basketball player.
- **Twin brother:** Logan, born one minute after Kane.
- **Sisters:** three older sisters, Anna, Kylie and Sophie.
- **Grandmother:** Joan Williamson-Orr, a former mayor of Taupō.
- **Cousin:** Dane Cleaver, who has also played for New Zealand.
- **School:** Tauranga Boys’ College from 2004 to 2008, where he was head boy in his final year.
He is 172 cm tall, a little under 5 ft 8 in. For other Kiwi sporting names, see our list of famous New Zealanders.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kane Williamson retired from all formats?
He has retired from all three international formats: T20Is in November 2025, and Tests and ODIs in June 2026. He has not ruled out franchise cricket or coaching.
Who is Kane Williamson's wife?
Sarah Raheem. They met in 2015 and have three children together.
Does Kane Williamson have a twin?
Yes. His twin brother is Logan Williamson, who is one minute younger.
When was Kane Williamson's last Test match?
His 110th and final Test was the first Test against England at Lord’s in June 2026, where he scored 0 and 18.
How many finals did Kane Williamson captain New Zealand in?
Three ICC finals. He won the 2021 World Test Championship final and lost the 2019 World Cup final and the 2021 T20 World Cup final.
