Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand, is expected to miss his team’s ODI World Cup opener versus England because he is still healing from a knee injury that had him in danger of missing the entire competition.
In place of Williamson, Tom Latham will lead New Zealand against England in a rematch of the thrilling World Cup final from 2019, which the English team won.
Williamson will only participate as a batsman in the team’s opening exhibition game against Pakistan in Hyderabad, according to New Zealand Cricket, which made the announcement via its website. In their next match against South Africa, the Kiwis hope to evaluate their captain’s fielding skills.
Williamson damaged his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in April, necessitating surgery. The New Zealand Head coach spoke about the skipper’s return to fitness. He said, “Right from the start we’ve taken a long-term view on Kane’s return to play. His recovery is tracking well and it’s now a matter of making sure he can cope with the rigours and intensity of international cricket.”
Gary Stead added, “We’ll continue to take a day-by-day approach to Kane’s rehabilitation and certainly won’t be putting any pressure on him to return before he is ready.”
“Slightly better suited to it than square of the wicket”: Kane Williamson
Since getting hurt during the IPL, the right-handed hitter hasn’t participated in any competitive cricket. He was a member of the New Zealand team that went to England to take part in four T20Is and then a similar amount of ODIs. When Williamson returned to the pitch after his injury, he said he would consider switching to a different fielding position.
The New Zealand skipper said, “We will definitely consider some of that. Where I field is usually at mid-off, which will probably remain the case. Probably slightly better suited to it than square of the wicket. Potentially some slip, but I won’t be standing there if we don’t require one.”
Fans react as Kane Williamson gets ruled out of opening ODI World Cup 2023 clash:
Kane Williamson ruled out of the opening match of the 2023 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/CpVdPjoKrU
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 29, 2023
He is So handsome and innoce but still unlucky ?
— Zarnab. (@achaw_sahiiii) September 29, 2023
Please rule him out of Knockouts
— Utkarsh (@utkarshh_tweet) September 29, 2023
It was always tricky!!! He might miss few more.
— Saad Butt (@CricBellz) September 29, 2023
Unlucky kane ! Sad for him !
— Mohit (@MohitMe11065970) September 29, 2023
Disadvantage For New Zealand
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) September 29, 2023
Indians sad and thinking kash un k sath hota pahla match toh buch jatay
— ChaChu ? ?? (@Oay_Afaq) September 29, 2023
Pure heated man ???? unlucky!
— Mohit (@MohitMe11065970) September 29, 2023
Masterplan working pic.twitter.com/NiEDU7UZKq
— Pratik (@fake_engineer7) September 29, 2023
Ek baar in ek baar out pata nahi kya chal rha h
— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) September 29, 2023
