New Zealand is often restricted to the lazy cliche of being a land of sheep, but this island nation blending the ethnic Maori spirit with an overwhelming colonial influence often throws up the quietest of sporting icons. The biggest proponent of this trait is Kane Williamson, who bid adieu to international cricket on Friday.

In the past there was a press conference in which he was asked: “How are you so nice?” A half-grin creased his face, his eyes became narrow slits, a blush tinged his bearded cheek while he grappled with the query.

This is a man who will give catching practice to his dog in the backyard and post cute videos. The man who will bottle up grief while squaring up to the media after a heart-breaking loss to England in the 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s. Always grace, and always words that are gentle whispers.

There is a hallowed space for the late Martin Crowe in the pantheon of New Zealand batting legends. The list has Ross Taylor, Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum too, but it is a line-up led by Williamson with 9,515 Test runs averaging 54.06. Add 7,256 ODI runs and a T20I yield of 2,575, and you get a batter right from the top-drawer.

Often drawn alongside his contemporary greats like Joe Root, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, Williamson carved a distinct path and was also a fine captain. The philosophy that the Black Caps could always punch above their weight gained more heft when Williamson was at the helm. And he guided his unit to an ICC Test Championship triumph in 2021.

Having played in the recent Lord’s Test that New Zealand lost, the 35-year-old genius felt it was time to leave. “I have thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time.” With Kohli having already quit the Test whites, it just leaves Root and Smith to jostle for top batting honours.

Williamson, the least marketed among the big four, was a splendid batter. He could bat time, and if needed hustle too. Equally adept against pace and spin, there was an unhurried air about his forays to the pitch. It is to his credit that any reference to him in the future would still linger on both his batsmanship and endearing warmth.