Sean Williams holds the longest T20 International career, dating back to Zimbabwe’s inaugural match against Bangladesh on November 28, 2006, at Khulna.
This was a year after the men’s first international T20 was played, but no one has been around longer than Williams.
The first-ever T20 international match was played on August 5, 2004, between the women’s teams of England and New Zealand. The men’s inaugural international T20 followed on February 17, 2005, between New Zealand and Australia.
In a quick catch-up, Williams reflected on his 17-year T20I journey, expressing disbelief at his longevity and a commitment to leave the shirt in a better place.
Williams was playing golf when we spoke, but he took some time to engage with me which was a big honour.
“It’s crazy to think I’m the longest-serving one, as it felt like yesterday I was playing in the under 19, 2004 World Cup,” said Williams.
“I am not sure what has kept me going, to be honest. I think it’s just a childhood dream that I’m actually living, and now it’s to leave the shirt in a better place than I found it,” said Williams, who has 79 T20 international caps.
Pic: Zim Cricket
How much longer does he plan to continue playing?
“Not too much longer, and it will all be a thing of the past.”
Williams is close friends with Zimbabwe batter Craig Ervine. Have the two discussed retirement? If so, who will retire first?
“I haven’t discussed anything about retirement with my family or Craig. And on retiring, first will undoubtedly be me unless injuries are the decider.”
Zimbabwe is set to co-host the ICC Cricket World Cup with South Africa and Namibia in 2027, and some cricket followers believe Williams and some other senior players should hang around and retire at the home World Cup.
How is that, Willo?
“I’m not sure how much longer we can go, to be honest. Performance remains key.”
Williams’ ODI career of 18 years and still counting is the longest in Zimbabwe’s history and the 10th in ODI history. The man from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, is 14 runs away from reaching 5000 ODI runs. Only five Zimbabweans have scored 5000-plus ODI runs.
“(My) ODI career has gone just as fast, and it’s been an incredible journey, one which has shown improvement as time has passed. It’s challenging now that more and more young guys are knocking on the door. It’s nice to have scored loads of runs, but obviously, you will always feel and see what you could have done better.
Pic: Zim Cricket
For such a lengthy career, what would Williams regard as his biggest accomplishment in cricket so far?
“I think playing for Zimbabwe and doing so over such a long period has to be the biggest accomplishment of them all. Certain games stick out, but being able to still make the team now is huge.”
Sport comes naturally to Williams. It’s a family thing because his mother, Patricia McKillop, was part of the Zimbabwe Hockey team that won the nation’s first-ever Olympic medal at Moscow 1980. They became known as the Golden Girls. His father, Collin, also played first-class cricket and was a national hockey coach.
Does this mean William’s two daughters will take up sports too? Is it just a natural thing?
“My family is full of sportspeople, and I think growing up on the side of sports fields pushed us into the sports world. My girls will be able to choose what they wish. I will most likely always support them more in an area where we feel they are most talented or have the most chance of success. But all in all, I will leave life to decide what they wish; the choice is theirs. After a dad being on the road for so many years, I can’t see my eldest getting into sports.”