New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, is set to miss his team’s World Cup 2023 match against the Netherlands, scheduled for Monday. Williamson is in the process of regaining full fitness after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during this year’s IPL, according to head coach Gary Stead.
Despite participating in New Zealand’s Cricket World Cup warm-up matches against Pakistan and South Africa, where he scored 54 and 37, respectively, Williamson did not field as he continues to recover from his injury.
Stead provided an update on Williamson’s progress, stating, “Kane’s been progressing very well. I think the fielding is still the element for him that he’s just got to get a little bit higher, and he gets a little bit more trust in his body. But he’s progressing really well, and we are pretty confident that he will be playing the third match for us.”
The 33-year-old skipper was absent from New Zealand’s tournament opener against England and is now targeting a return during the team’s third match against Bangladesh on October 13 in Chennai.
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Stead also mentioned that the final decision on Williamson’s participation against the Netherlands would be made after the team’s training session. However, as of now, the plan is for him to return in the third game of the tournament.
While Williamson continues his recovery journey, New Zealand is expected to receive a boost with the likely availability of fast bowlers Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson as they seek to maintain their strong start in the group stage.
Stead confirmed their progress, saying, “Lockie Ferguson got through that training really well. So providing he’s scrubbed up ok this morning, he will be available for this next game.”
He also provided an update on Tim Southee, saying, “Tim Southee also got through the training really well. It was great to see him back at the bowling crease and also doing a little bit of fielding. He will just get a final x-ray done this morning, and then we will make a call after that, but it’s all looking good for selection from now on and into the rest of the tournament.”
New Zealand will be eager to have these experienced fast bowlers back in the lineup as they continue their campaign in the Men’s ODI World Cup.
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