Kane Williamson has spoken for the first time about claims his Blackcaps captaincy was under threat.
Last week, coach Gary Stead rejected rumours he favoured Tom Latham to take over the leadership of the test side.
Speaking exclusively to Newshub, Williamson has had his say on the rumours, making a surprise admission about his future in the role.
"There'll be a time when I'm not captain," Williamson tells Newshub. "There'll be a time when there is another skipper and you're just hoping you can help with that process."
Williamson feels fortunate to hold the position, but he acknowledges that he doesn't have a mortgage on the role.
"It's about the team," he adds. "You're always considering what's best for the team and that's always my mindset."
Williamson's philosophical view on the captaincy follows speculation that his leadership of the test side is under threat.
Stead has been forced to reject claims he wanted Latham to take over.
"It was very much news to me and I'm not sure where it's come from," Williamson responds.
Back in the nets at Mount Maunganui, Williamson is keen to stress that both coach and captain are on the same page.
"[Stead] and I have a very good relationship, a lot of trust there and very much the same ideas about where we want the team to go," he says.
"How we get there is a constant discussion, like in any organisation with leadership, so like I say, it's a positive thing."
The comments suggest Williamson's realistic about the possibility that, whether the captaincy is relinquished or removed, he may one day represent New Zealand as a player only.
"There'll be a time when I don't play as well. That might pose another question, but I don't know when that time is."
For the foreseeable future, Kane remains king.
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