Dion Nash: No perfect time for Stokes or Williamson to walk away

Sport Nation • June 30th, 2026 3:12 pm

England captain Ben Stokes and New Zealand's Kane Williamson both retired this series | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport

Former New Zealand cricketer Dion Nash believes both Ben Stokes and Kane Williamson made the right calls in stepping away from Test cricket, noting there is never a perfect time for players of their stature to retire.

Speaking to Sport Nation Afternoons, Nash said Stokes’ abrupt retirement wasn't too dissimilar to Williamson's, both appearing to come from a place of emotional and physical exhaustion.

“I feel like both of them in some ways were similar in the sense that they both just decided they’re cooked,” Nash told Sport Nation Afternoons. “They’re done.”

Nash said he could understand why Stokes, an emotional and committed leader, had reached the end of the road.

“He’s given everything to that group and to some degree he’s carried them on his shoulders,” he said.

“But it is hugely tiring and when a guy like that isn’t quite there emotionally or mentally, he becomes half the player.”

While there may be more to come around Stokes’ decision, with Nash suggesting there may be an announcement coming that we don’t know about, he said the England captain had ultimately done what he felt was best for himself and the team.

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On Williamson, Nash was clear the former Blackcaps great owed the New Zealand public nothing more.

“We just have to accept that his decision was final and it was the right one for him. What he’s left behind, we should be grateful for.

"I don’t think he owes us anything.”

Nash said Williamson’s departure should be viewed with gratitude rather than frustration, adding that whatever he chooses to do next, he is likely to succeed.

He also suggested the former captain deserved time away from the game before considering any future role.

As for the Blackcaps, Nash said the series win leaves New Zealand cricket in “a really good space,” though he sees it less as a relaunch and more as a changing of the guard.

“To some degree, Latham and Mitchell, it’s their team now,” he said, noting that leadership could soon shift again toward the likes of Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips.

Nash believes the upcoming home summer against Australia could be a major motivation for the current group, and possibly a “swan song” for some senior players.

But he was more cautious when assessing the women’s game, saying there is significant work to be done.

“We just don’t have enough player base in New Zealand yet,” Nash said. “The infrastructure here of the women’s game needs some real development and that will take time."

“We’ve always had proud women’s teams that have done well at different times, and I think they will regroup."

He said the rebuild must start at grassroots level, with New Zealand needing to grow participation numbers and strengthen the base before long-term results can follow.

Still, Nash said New Zealand cricket as a whole should take immense pride from the Blackcaps’ achievement in England.

“It’s so hard to win in England and to do it as comprehensively as they have on pretty tough wickets against a really good England side.

"New Zealand cricket stands tall right now.”

Listen to the full interview below: