It was a comforting, warm and safe place to be.
That safety net has gone. It disappeared overnight with almost no fanfare.
Williamson was never one for drama. And in that sense, he nailed his exit from international cricket perfectly.
News of his retirement landed in the email boxes of the country’s news outlets just after 10pm on Friday.
The release included a long list of his achievements and was accompanied by a video less than five minutes long, in which there was not a single journalist present to ask any questions.
This was no Andre Agassi long goodbye.
There were no tears. No packed press conference. No emotional farewell.
Williamson went out on his own terms. It was as if he merged into the background.
The 35-year-old right-hander is unquestionably our greatest test batter.
The many tributes that will follow will no doubt point to his selfless and undemonstrative approach to the game.
His success was built on a stoic work ethic.
His retirement had been hinted at, but his departure mid-series caught most off guard — perhaps even New Zealand Cricket.
‘‘I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand,’’ Williamson said down the barrel of the lonely camera in what looked like a room in the team hotel.
‘‘Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.’’
There it is. He has dabbed his career down to third man with his trademark soft hands.
And all that is left is for fans to reminisce.
He will not reach 10,000 test runs as we had expected. He will not score a 34th test hundred as we had hoped. And he will not be there to help out in Australia this summer.
That was our plan. He had another.
Williamson no longer had the drive to continue.
His greatness is now a memory rather than a promise of things to come.
Williamson did not get the pulse racing like Brendon McCullum. His stroke play was not as beautiful as Martin Crowe’s or as graceful as Bert Sutcliffe’s.
Stewie Dempster had a better average. Glenn Turner was a trailblazer and played some very significant knocks. Martin Donnelly was assured.
Williamson’s genius was more ordinary in many ways.
His technique was painstakingly copied from the textbook.
His ability to play the ball late was otherworldly, though. And he played with such a delicate touch. How many times did he get an edge that would land harmlessly in front of the slip cordon?
Williamson was the master of the fourth innings in home conditions.
‘‘Steady the Ship’’ was the calm, unflappable character you wanted out in the middle when the test was in the balance.
He would adapt his game to exactly what the team or situation needed.
He was shelter from the rain.
• Will Young will replace Williamson for the two remaining tests in England.
Kane Williamson: Black Caps great
110 tests, 9515 runs, average 54.06, high score 251
175 ODIs, 7256 runs, average 48.69, high score 148
93 T20Is, 2575 runs, average 33.44, high score 95
22 test wins as captain
NZ records
Most test runs
Most all-format runs
Most test centuries (33)
Most test double centuries (six)
Highest test batting average (minimum 50 innings)
Most ODI (1167) and T20 World Cup (727) runs
