Kane Williamson, former captain of New Zealand, is gearing up to join the national team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, kicking off this Sunday in Mount Maunganui. He has been out of international cricket since the Champions Trophy final defeat to India in March.

In this period, the 35-year-old has missed New Zealand’s Test series in Zimbabwe and a home T20 series with Australia and England. His hiatus has been a conscious choice, aiming to strike a balance between family duties and opportunities in overseas professional leagues.

Before the series, Williamson highlighted how crucial it is to balance cricket with personal life. He stated, "As your life situation changes, the balance between where you spend your time and give your attention is really, really important." His focus is on enjoying cricket while placing family first.

Since debuting in 2010, Williamson has amassed 9,276 Test runs with an average of 54.88, marking him as New Zealand's leading batsman. Even though he has scaled back on commitments in the last two years and stepped down from captaincy across formats, he remains a vital part of the national team.

With a "casual" contract with New Zealand Cricket, Williamson is only required to play in selected series and tournaments. This arrangement permits him to engage in overseas leagues while still being available for critical moments with the Black Caps.

This year, Williamson spent much time in England, where he led the London Spirit in the men’s Hundred competition and played for Middlesex. His time away from the international scene hasn’t inhibited his performance abroad, gearing him up for a strategic return to New Zealand cricket.

Although he has yet to play under new head coach Rob Walter, he has stayed in close contact regarding his availability. He remarked, "It’s all about the balance, with family and time away, but also the delicate balance of being part of this team that I've truly cherished," as he reflected upon his commitment to the Black Caps.

Williamson is one of five Black Caps with casual playing contracts, joining Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, and Tim Seifert. This system allows New Zealand Cricket to keep top talents while accommodating players’ needs for managing their workloads and personal lives.